The story below is from our March/April 2023 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
Women in leadership positions share their experiences in climbing to the top of the ladder.
Editor's Note: You can listen in to more of this feature with Salem's first female mayor! Our third episode's first segment with Mayor Renee Turk details more about her role in Salem and the work she's doing to help our community. Listen to the podcast now, or the individual segment below.
This is a wonderful time for women to pursue their passion to lead,” says Abrina Schnurman, Executive Director, Batten Leadership Institute.
Some women have been pursuing that passion for years. They have paved the way for the women who aspire to leadership positions. These women share their journeys, insights, and the importance of having confidence, taking risks, and believing in yourself.
Carrie McConnell — President, Ridge View Bank
Carrie McConnell became President of Ridge View Bank in June of 2021 after a long career in banking. She began in accounting with then Salem Bank and Trust, rotated through the management training program at First National Bank, then spent the majority of her career in commercial banking with Home Town Bank working her way up from Assistant Vice-President to Senior Vice-President.
Courtesy Carrie McConnell
Carrie McConnell, President, Ridge View Bank
Early on, she trained with outstanding bankers, but faced the challenge of finding female mentors. As SVP of commercial banking, she was typically the only woman in the room in a male-dominated industry and wished she had a network of women in c-suite positions to build peer relationships and share ideas.
Experience taught her to be herself, to respectfully stand up for herself and to earn respect. Three qualities she practices and feels are critical for a leader are perseverance, preparedness and patience.
A key piece of advice she received was that there is more than one right answer and way to look at things.
“I find this especially important in the financial world – where things tend to be viewed very black and white,” she says.
McConnell’s leadership aspirations begin as captain and point guard of the basketball team. Her athletic experiences relate to her role and how she approaches leadership.
“I value an inclusive, team building style, in which you bring together people from all walks of life for one common goal,” she shares. “Know each teammate’s strengths and how those work with the rest of the players.”
McConnell encourages women to be self-confident and trust their instincts.
“Take opportunities and run with them and be willing to do a variety of things with a diverse group of people,” she stresses. “Women have an opportunity to really challenge the status quo of what a successful leader is perceived to be,” McConnell says.
Mary Ann Gilmer — Chief Strategy Officer, Goodwill Industries of the Valley
At Goodwill for twelve years, Mary Ann Gilmer started in workforce development, served as VP of Mission Services, Chief Strategy and People Officer and recently became Chief Strategy Officer. Prior to Goodwill, she worked in the public workforce development system and led her own company.
Courtesy Mary Ann Gilmer
Mary Ann Gilmer, Chief Strategy Officer, Goodwill Industries of the Valley
“My career has been driven by my personal ‘why’ – I believe in the power of work to transform individuals, families and communities,” she shares. “My true desire to lead emerged about eight years into my career when I started aligning my career choices with my personal values, my ‘why.’ When that happened, I just wanted to do more, to have more impact. I found I could serve more and contribute more from the leader seat.”
At Goodwill, she served under the leadership of two strong female leaders who influenced the way she leads. She also sought out mentors who had qualities she admired and recommends that women identify who inspires them, who embodies strengths they would like to develop, and invite those people to lunch.
“Start a conversation. Ask their advice,” Gilmer says. “Let relationships develop over time and realize it’s okay to have different mentors for different reasons.”
She notes that sometimes women get in their own way when they don’t recognize their strength and potential. She encourages women to believe they can take risks, learn from failure, rise, persevere and emerge stronger, to seize every opportunity for growth and have faith in their ability to conquer new things.
As a leader, she is authentic and vulnerable and gives people permission to fail. That permission creates freedom for the team to try new things and achieve great things together.
“Women are making great progress in leadership, and they have an opportunity to mentor, develop and encourage other women leaders,” Gilmer shares. “In this way, younger women can confidently seize opportunities for leadership.”
Renee Ferris Turk — Mayor, City of Salem
Courtesy of Renee Ferris Turk
Renee Ferris Turk, Mayor, City of Salem
Renee Ferris Turk won a seat on the Salem City Council and was later elected as Mayor in 2020. Prior to serving in local government, she worked in advertising sales and was the General Sales Manager at Saturn of Roanoke Valley. With a Business Administration degree in Business, Economics and Education from Roanoke College, she taught business classes and was the Cooperative Office Education Coordinator at William Fleming High School and then Salem High School.
“All of these work experiences put me in a position to understand the wants and needs (and to know the difference) of the citizens and the businesses which I would serve,” Turk says.
She developed leadership skills such as communication, listening and leading so people can come up with ideas and solutions themselves. She considers it her job to bring out the best in people and empower them to be good at what they do.
Her parents told her “You can do and be anything you want if you want it bad enough and work hard enough. But always remember to treat people the way you want to be treated all along the way.”
Developing patience, understanding and nurturing helped her treat others with compassion and see the best in them. These traits, along with self-confidence, have also served her when faced with good old boys networking and attitudes about women in leadership positions.
She encourages women who aspire to leadership roles in government to check their city, town or county boards and commissions that need citizen participation and leadership, volunteer to serve on them, grow in their knowledge of how things evolve and share ideas and information with a group of people who have different careers and backgrounds.
Dr. Verletta White — Superintendent of Schools in Roanoke City
Verletta White has served in public education for thirty years. She knew at an early age she wanted to dedicate her career to children and has served in various roles including teacher, principal and executive director of professional development.
Courtesy of Roanoke City Public Schools
Dr. Verletta White, Superintendent of Schools in Roanoke City
White says she allowed her work and being in service to drive her. As she did her best to serve students, that work was recognized, and her influence broadened.
“Always work your hardest and put your best foot forward in your daily work,” she states. “Once you do that, leadership will find you.”
She believes any leader must lead with purpose.
“When you know your why, you stay focused on that purpose, can articulate your vision and then surround yourself with others who also share that same purpose, it is truly a powerful combination that can make an impact,” says White.
She shares that one of the unique challenges for women in leadership is that many executive-level leadership positions, inside and outside of the field of education, are held by men. This lack of female representation in executive positions translates into fewer role models for aspiring female leaders, as well as fewer mentors and colleagues for newly appointed leaders.
While there are women leaders at every level of education, they are under-represented at the superintendent level. White believes there are tremendous opportunities for female educators to use their experiences and knowledge to serve their communities by utilizing their skills in key leadership positions and use their influence to enrich the lives of children and their families.
“We must be committed to nurturing that leadership potential and to communicating the value of the female leader’s perspective,” she states.
Each woman had her own path to leadership. They all embraced a growth mindset, gained experience and education and developed leadership skills along the way. They sought out mentors and took risks. They chose to be themselves and lead with confidence.
Aspiring women leaders can network, build confidence and develop leadership skills through local programs such as the Batten Leadership Institute and the Virginia Women’s Municipal Leadership Institute (VWMLI).
“Inclusive leadership in our communities builds stronger communities,” states Bonnie Svrcek, Coordinator at VWMLI, a partnership between the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center and Virginia Women Leading Government that is designed to strengthen the career pipeline for female community leaders.
“Connect with that passion to pursue the next level, and do not let your fear be the obstacle that halts your progress,” Schnurman says.
The path is paved, and women can lead the way.
What advice would you give women who aspire to leadership positions?
"Believe in yourself and do not be afraid to step up — you can do whatever you want to do if you work hard enough to prepare yourself to be successful." Renee Ferris Turk - Mayor, City of Salem
"Be resilient, able to adapt and willing to persevere. Trust your instincts and always stay true to yourself." Carrie McConnell - President, Ridge View Bank
"Be a lifelong learner. Constantly hone your leadership skills. Authors and speakers can serve as “mentors from a distance.” (Brene Brown’s books and podcasts have a huge influence on the way I lead.) Take risks and if you fail, fail forward (meaning learn from mistakes and adjust). Scan for promotion opportunities and be ready when they arise. Have a least one person in your professional life who gives you 100% honest feedback so that you address any blind spots or lack of competency. Perhaps that is an executive coach or a trusted colleague. Give those people permission to provide honest feedback!" Mary Ann Gilmer - Chief Strategy Officer, Goodwill Industries
"Be steadfast, disciplined and tenacious. Observe and listen deeply to the narratives that are ripe throughout the organization, as they are already contributing to the culture." Abrina Schnurman - Hollins University Batten Leadership Institute
"Participate in executive development opportunities, apply for the job that may feel like a stretch, be a lifelong learner." Bonnie Svrcek - Coordinator VWMLI and Former City Manager of Lynchburg
"Staying true to yourself, your purpose and your values is critical as you continue your leadership journey. Career success without personal fulfillment is work. When you believe in what you are doing and remain truly authentic, it isn’t just a job; it’s your passion." Dr. Verletta White - Superintendent, Roanoke City Public Schools
"Celebrate who you are, and the position will come. Develop other people on the team as leaders and develop yourself. Leadership isn’t about you; it’s about serving the team. There is no room for insecurity. Be confident in who you are and what you bring to the table so you can be happy and celebrate the success of others." Abby Verdillo Hamilton - CEO, United Way of Roanoke Valley
"Obtain the appropriate degrees/certifications. Be superior at your current position, which most often leads to the next position. Shadow as many leaders as possible. Accept opportunities when they come, even if they are out of your comfort zone. Do internships when possible. Volunteer when possible (community engagement is a plus). Take care of your family — you can’t function at work if your family is in upheaval." Dr. Bernice Cobbs - Superintendent, Franklin County Public Schools
The story above is from our March/April 2023 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!