Dialogue Across Race for Women: Bridging the Divide

October 10, 2007

Female executives not only have the challenge of successfully navigating into the upper echelons of the professional world, but must also work through the differences of age, experience, and culture between themselves and other women professionals in order to promote and upwardly propel the female gender as a whole in the business arena.

In this follow up to our previous event "Diversity in Leadership," attendees further explored the impact that culture and background have on the way women across all races are perceived by other women within, and outside of, their own race.

Nila and Estelle delved into issues such as race and gender stereotypes and initiated candid dialogue between attendees in this interactive exercise designed to create awareness and understanding across cultural lines and amongst women leaders.

We were honored to have two certified experts in the field of diversity training co-facilitate our event:

Nila G. Betof, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer, The Leader's Edge
Nila Betof brings over 20 years of operational and management experience to The Leader's Edge™. Nila has extensive experience in career development consulting, leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational change. She has personally consulted on establishing hundreds of leadership development programs and organization change initiatives.
Nila has held senior-level positions managing both line operations and staff functions, including P&L responsibility and executive positions in information technology, human resources and strategic planning. Most recently, Nila served as Vice President of the Client Solutions Group for the Strategic Management Group, a global e-learning company. Nila was responsible for all aspects of service delivery including online and consulting services to an impressive client list of Fortune 500 companies.
Nila holds a Ph.D. in Organization Development from Temple University, a Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Temple University.
Nila is also actively involved in civic endeavors. She serves on the Human Resources Committee of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and is a member of the Forum of Executive Women.

Estelle Garrett Matthews
Senior Vice President, State HR Team Leader for Mid-Atlantic Bank, Wachovia Bank
Estelle Garrett Matthews is a Senior Vice President with Wachovia Bank. Her role of responsibility is Senior Human Resource Business Partner, supporting two Market Presidents in Suburban and Metro/Philadelphia Markets. Estelle specializes in organizational leadership and development, diversity, coaching, developing executive leaders, development for women and career management. She also consults on project development and manages multiple large-scale client engagements focusing on process redesign, performance optimization and team development.
Her background spans a variety of roles for Operations Manager, Diversity Practitioner, Human Resource Business Partner to the President and Vice Chairman of CoreStates Bank. Estelle played a major role in the CoreStates culture change initiative. She provided creative solutions to align the people and business strategies. Estelle served on the CEO's Culture Change Management team representing People of Color in the organization.
Estelle is a certified Diversity Trainer Consultant from Elsie Y. Cross and Associates, and holds a Masters degree in Human Services from Lincoln University. She is a seasoned management consultant with thirty-five years of experience in sales, operations, accounting and human resources.

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