Virtual Programs

The Impact of Mentors and Sponsors for Women’s Advancement in the Workplace

Forty-two percent of women have mentors in the workplace while only twenty-two percent have sponsors. Mentors provide advice, support and coaching while sponsors openly advocate on your behalf for promotions or advancement. Both are critical to women’s success in the workplace. In this session, we will discuss the differences between mentorship and sponsorship, and how each can have a significant impact on your work life and career. We will also discuss strategies to find effective mentors and sponsors, as well as colleagues who provide allyship through validation and day-to-day support to enhance our sense of belonging at work.

Binnu Palta Hill, Chief Diversity Officer, Wisconsin School of Business

Binnu Palta Hill has spent the last 25 years in the UW System teaching, consulting and designing programs that enhance engagement, innovation and collaboration through strategic leadership and organizational cultural dexterity. She currently leads the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB). A distinguishing factor in her approach is the combination of academic research and lived experience to dissect core elements of organizational culture and effectiveness. Ms. Hill also serves as the director of DEI programs and teaches for the Center for Executive and Professional Development.

In May 2015, Ms. Hill represented WSB at the White House as Wisconsin became one of the first business schools to commit to best practices for increasing opportunities in business for women and preparing a culturally competent 21 st century workforce. She has served on several advisory boards including the AACSB Diversity Board, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, and the Information Technology Academy. In recognition for her contributions to UW Madison and the Madison community, she received the UW Madison Outstanding Woman of Color award, Wisconsin Innovation Award, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association Leadership Award.

Ms. Hill has been a guest speaker at over 150 conferences throughout the United States and Europe, and has consulted with over 40 corporations including American Family Insurance, Grant Thornton, M3 Insurance, and Cooper Robertson. She has been featured on several podcasts such as Poets & Quants What Research Tells us about the Future of DEI, Conversations with a Manager: Stories from the Frontlines, and National Broadcasting Association’s Leadership Lab series. Her work on “Building Inclusive Cultures” has been featured in The Cap Times, Biz Education, NBC15 and INSIGHT Magazine.

Early Career Panel Discussion

Women in their early careers will come together to discuss how mentorship has influenced their professional journeys. They will share experiences, advice, and insights on how they support each other on their career paths. It’s a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and gain insights into the power of mentorship.

Panelists

• Rhianna Campbell, Engage Program Manager, Department of Information Technology
• Carolyn Kuzuhara, Program Manager, Job Rotation Program ‒ Information Technology Track
• Emily Loew, Academic Project Manager, Division of Information Technology
• Colleen Pilsner, Teaching, Learning, & Technology Specialist II, Radiology, School of Medicine and Public Health
• Cameron Theisen, HR Generalist, University Recreation and Wellbeing
• Alondra Vazquez Rodriguez, Job Rotation Program – Human Resources Track

Moderator

• Theresa Kim, Training and Organizational Development Specialist II, Learning and Talent Development, Office of Human Resources

Mid- and Late-Career Panel Discussion

For this breakout group of women in their mid- and late-careers, it’s all about sharing experiences and wisdom gained over the years. This group provides a platform for women to discuss the unique challenges and triumphs they’ve encountered throughout their professional journeys. They will reflect on the impact of mentorship in their careers and offer guidance to those who are still navigating their paths. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the collective knowledge and expertise of accomplished women in various fields.

Panelists

• Lindsay Bolan, Business Systems Analyst I, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
• April Ebacher, Web Platforms/Services Manager, Division of Information Technology
• Bernadette Gillick, Director, Waisman Center Pediatric Neuromodulation Laboratory, and Associate Professor, Pediatrics, and Developmental Pediatrics & Rehabilitation Medicine
• Vanessa Taulbee, Business Analysis and Change Management Associate Director, Division of Information Technology
• Lindsey Stoddard Cameron, Faculty Services, Office of the Secretary of the Academic Staff

Moderator

• Christina Stefonek, Training and Organizational Development Specialist, Learning and Talent Development, Office of Human Resources

Panelists

• Margene Anderson, Educational Advancement & Faculty Development Specialist, School of Veterinary Medicine
• Chelsea Andrews, Lecturer, Department of Psychology
• Claire Barrett, Associate Teaching Professor, Human Development & Family Studies
• Megan Schmid, Director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Mentorship

Moderator

• Morton Ann Gernsbacher, Vilas Research Professor and Sir Frederic Bartlett Professor, Department of Psychology