By Linda Miller
Public Relations Manager
Rio Salado College
and
Editor, "Expressions"

Featured apeakers at the event were (left to right) Marian Tadano, Ann Hart, Delia Garcia, and Kate Rosier, with moderator Dr. Christine Hall.

What experiences are shared by women leaders of color? What advice do they have for emerging leaders? These and many other fascinating topics were presented during a panel discussion held March 20 at Rio Salado College as part of its monthly Brown Bag Lunch series on diversity-related topics.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Christine Hall, director of employee services for the MCCCD. Panel members were:

• Delia Garcia, president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of financial aid in achieving educational goals.

  Delia Garcia, president and chief executive officer for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Delia is a first generation American whose parents were from Mexico.
• Ann Hart, vice principal of North High School. Ann is from an ethnically diverse background and is primarily African American.
• Kate Rosier, director of the Indian Legal Program at the ASU College of Law. Kate is a former tribal lawyer and a member of the Comanche Nation.
• Marian Tadano, dean of instruction, Phoenix College. Marian is a member of the Asian American community.

When asked about the qualities that make effective leaders, Delia replied, "We are all called to leadership. Everyone is a leader in her own sphere of influence…public or private."

Ann, who believes in Stephen Covey's principle-centered leadership, thinks that people lead by example. "Be professional and have empathy for others," she advises. "Seek first to understand and then to be understood. Listen to learn what the real problem or situation is." She also advised the audience to ask themselves what they are doing to help others achieve organizational skills.

Kate, who began her career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., describes herself as a listener and a watcher of others. "I have often learned what not to do by watching others," she says.

After the presentation, panel members answered questions and met one-on-one with those who attended. Speakers shown are (left to right) Marian Tadano, Ann Hart, and Kate Rosier.

According to Marian, one of the difficulties of being a female leader is dealing with the softer sides of a woman's personality. "It's hard to decide which side to extend," she said. "It's OK to express both sides."

"Leaders don't have to declare themselves as leaders," Delia states. "You embody the characteristics that others aspire to emulate, such as integrity and fairness."

The women were asked to assess the importance of luck versus experience and intelligence in developing their careers. All stated they had some experience with fortunate circumstances, which they converted into opportunities.

Kate believes success is 50% luck, balanced by 25% experience and 25% intelligence. "You need your knowledge and experience to back you up for luck," she states. "Luck is not a haphazard thing," says Delia, who holds a Master's degree in public administration from Harvard. "You have to be prepared. I had the good fortune to meet good people who opened doors of opportunity for me."

"Success may be partly due to luck, but it's very calculated luck," she believes.

In conclusion, Kate states, "It's important as a woman of color to be strong, confident, well-spoken, and to not back down from a fight.

"And don't be afraid to sing your successes."