Celebrating Women at CLV

# Happy International Women’s Day! Women at CLV are integral to our success and while we celebrate them every day, we will be taking the opportunity to highlight and share their experiences.

##Josie Bivens ###Contracts Administrator #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are at the start of their career? I joined CLV last March soon after graduating so I (alongside the rest of the world) learned a lot about adapting this year. In my experience, at the beginning of your career the most important things you can bring to the table are a willingness to learn and handle any task given to you and openness about anything you don’t know or any mistakes you may make. I have found that having a good attitude and being openminded to whatever may come will allow for the most growth. Of course it helps that everyone I have worked with at CLV are kind and supportive team players! #####Q- In the past year or so, what was the biggest thing you’ve accomplished for/at CLV? This year I helped streamline the process of tracking compliance for our village vendor contracts and insurance certificates. #####Q- Are there any ongoing/upcoming personal projects that you’re looking forward to? I am looking forward to (and currently in the process of) becoming a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), which is a volunteer role in which a child in the child welfare system is paired with a court appointed advocate to get to know the child and their case and speak up for their best interests in court.

##Karen Moffett ###Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are at the start of their career? -Mentorship programs - I am a great advocate for senior leaders to mentor young women. If you want to obtain success and satisfaction in all that you look to achieve in life whether that be in your career or personally, seek guidance from a mentor who has walked the path before you. I was mentored when I started my career which was invaluable and I have also had the honour to mentor several young women in my last two roles. Who both have excelled in their carers that I am so very proud of. -Listening is a key skill to learn. You are never too old to learn new things and learn from your mistakes, nobody is perfect, never hide a mistake, take ownership, you will grow from the experience. -Never assume someone else is doing something that you can do. #####Q -Throughout your career, who were your biggest inspirations? A Group Executive in a global engineering consultancy firm that I had the pleasure to work with. She was an inspiration to me for her tenacity with getting things done in a male dominant world. I had the privilege to witness the many transformations of a company at her leadership which were undertaken with dignity and professionalism. She has been and still is my inspiration for the career woman, mum and philanthropist for the many accomplishments she has had and the charity work she still undertakes today. #####Q- What are some of the traits that you think female employees have that contribute to their success? Caring, nurturing nature, a giving heart and kindness but strength and boldness when it counts. #####Q- Tell us about one lesson you’ve learned in your career. Resilience is key. Never assume anything. You be the leader of your own destiny. Don’t wait for someone else to do something for you. You be the leader of you. #####Q- Anything else you might want to share with us. A good book - 'Lean In' by Sheryl Sandberg.

##Cindy Haylen ###Marketing Manager ANZ #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are starting their career? Give everything a go! There is no such thing as failure, but only lessons learnt. #####Q -What are some of the traits that you think female employees have that contribute to their success? Definitely an empathic side and a great sense of intuition #####Q- Tell us about one lesson you’ve learned in your career. There is something to be learnt from everyone, so soak everything in and don’t be afraid to ask questions, but most importantly listen to people. You will learn far more by listening then speaking.

##Anh Hopper ###Senior Corporate Accountant #####Q- Tell us about one lesson you have learned in your career. Don’t be afraid to ask. People are timid to ask and show vulnerability. Getting the correct information will save time from trying to fix errors in the long run. There is also a norm of assuming the answer will be no. My mantra is to throw it out there to universe. Go into it with some planning, good timing, and realistic suggestions. More times than not, you’d be surprised the response will actually be a yes, especially if it’s beneficial to the team. Denied? Reword and try again at a later time, perhaps to someone more receptive. Ironically, my six year old has mastered this strategy on me. #####Q-In the past year or so, what was the biggest thing you have accomplished for/at CLV? The start of quarantine March 2020 was the biggest challenge this past year. My greatest accomplishment was adjusting to working remotely, enduring long hours tackling a new budget process with the Finance team, while juggling virtual learning with a grade schooler---all in the same month! Sleep is overrated. #####Q-Are there any ongoing/upcoming personal projects that you are looking forward to? As a member of The Junior League of Houston since 2012, I recently achieved Sustainer status. Once COVID restrictions lighten up, I hope to explore new volunteer opportunities and enjoy the social perks that my new membership status has to offer.

##Kasen Wu ###Sales and Marketing Specialist ANZ #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are starting their career? Never let the fear of making mistakes or the fear of not doing your work 100% perfectly hold you back, or stop you from giving it a really good go. #####Q- Throughout your career, who were your biggest inspirations? It’s hard to narrow it down! I’ve worked with, and currently work with, so many inspirational women with vastly different strengths and qualities. There are brilliant women all around, no matter where you look! #####Q- What are some of the traits that you think female employees have that contribute to their success? In my experience – not taking criticism personally and seeing critical feedback as an opportunity to think outside the box and challenge themselves. #####Q- Tell us about one lesson you’ve learned in your career. Back yourself. This is something I’ve only recently learnt from a manager (better late than never!). This is so important, especially as you progress in your career and face brand new challenges that can seem impossibly daunting to begin with. #####Q- Anything else you might want to share with us. Stay kind, a little bit of empathy goes a long way in life.

##Jackie Hughes ###Senior Assistant Vice President of Operations #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are at the start of their career? Surround yourself around greatness and then trust and empower them Your attitude is chosen by you, choose positive Be brave, be yourself Step up and volunteer to assist when opportunities arise Focus on what you can control Be flexible and be open to change Strive for improvement one step at a time #####Q-Throughout your career, who were your biggest inspirations? I have had many inspirations throughout my career but there are two individuals that I esteem greatly, Dr. Doris Collins and Ms. Sharon Rodie. Sharon Rodie was my bookkeeper at University Pines on the campus of UT Tyler. I became her supervisor during my early years in the profession and end of hers. Ms. Sharon, as I liked to call her out of respect, became my stronghold. Despite being a young know it all supervisor, she stood by my side and supported me every step of the way. Her level of expertise, knowledge and experience outweighed mine but despite that she was my loyal supporter. I was a developing leader when my path crossed Ms. Sharon’s and I am so glad it did because I learned so much from her. She was and is wise, strong and inspirational because of what she stands for, what she believes and who she is. My second inspiration is another wonderful women that I had the honor of working with at CLV, Dr. Doris Collins. In the world of higher education student housing, Doris is a bit famous. She is a past president of ACUHO-I and retiree of Campus Living Villages and Louisiana State University where she served as Vice President of University Partnerships and Associate Vice Chancellor. Doris is the epitome of class and expert. She is who I hope to become. She too is wise with a high level of emotional intelligence which I find fascinating. She is fun and not afraid of anything or anybody. #####Q-What are some of the traits that you think female employees have that contribute to their success? In my view, despite someone’s gender, grit is the main drive to someone’s success. How you handle the failures and what you choose to do at those times will determine your success. I believe that employees that persevere through the falls and use them as learning opportunities grow not only professionally but personally. Our own state of mind on how we perceive things can either motivate or de-motivate. What we allow ourselves to think and do, if negative, can destroy our potential to achieve greatness. #####Q-Tell us about one lesson you’ve learned in your career. A lesson that I have and continue to learn from in my career is the power of emotions/emotional intelligence. Understanding how others are feeling and having self-control of my own feelings is crucial in leading others. Failure to understand and address the various emotions in the work space, if negative, can be detrimental to a team. I have learned and continue to work on acknowledging and understanding my own emotions but also those of others I interact with at work. Identifying and being aware of emotions in oneself and others that have a negative impact is important as collaborations and partnerships are being formed.

##Losalini Leweniqila ###Customer Support Agent #####Q- Throughout your career, who were your biggest inspirations? For me it is Alicia, Adrienne and Iesha. It's always important to acknowledge those around you first before acknowledging those who you don’t know.

##Iesha Choy Vong ###Customer Support Agent #####Q- What are some of the traits that you think female employees have that contribute to their success? The ability to multi-task, balancing both personal and professional life, work ethic. Also being able to come to a conclusions rationally during situations but also being able to relate to others on emotional level. Females bring a different aspect to any work ideas/projects.

##Adrienne Lilo ###Duty Manager #####Q- Tell us about one lesson you’ve learned in your career. It’s the people who you meet, trust and work alongside every day that really make a company successful.

##Alicia Garling ###Village Manager #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are starting their career? To stay focused, and optimistic, but most importantly ‘hang in there’. All good things do eventuate no matter how long they make take, or how many attempts you make to get to your final goal.

##Harriet Geoghegan ###Digital Marketing Manager ANZ #####Q- What lessons and experiences can you share with women who are at the start of their career? The best advice I ever received was not just to take every opportunity that comes your way, but to MAKE opportunities too. No matter what stage of your career you are at there are always things you can do to further your experience, work with new people in the organisation and demonstrate value to those around you. If you’re still at University, you can join a club or take on a volunteer project, if you’re in a creative field you can start a blog or social media page to showcase your portfolio. At work you can put your hand up to help others, present a new idea or strategy to your boss or ask to be involved in an upcoming project. When you help and support those around you everyone benefits