Fall Into Leadership: 2024 CWB Newsletter
The Center for Women and Business at Bentley University
Amplifying the power of all women from the classroom to the boardroom.
As we welcome the vibrant energy of fall, we are excited to be in full swing! We are pleased to share important updates highlighting our efforts to further our mission of amplifying the power of all women – from the classroom to the boardroom. In this newsletter, you will hear about our presence in the Boston Globe, join us in celebrating two faculty members for their recent awards, and discover exciting details about our upcoming Gearing Up Conference.
We look forward to celebrating our achievements with this remarkable community of women+ leaders and allies committed to fostering inclusive cultures and advancing women’s leadership and gender equity.
Warm regards,
The CWB Team
In the News
Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares, Executive Director of the Center for Women and Business, shares her insights on the unique challenges women face in leadership, including the pressure to balance perceptions of empathy and assertiveness.
In the Community
The CWB was proud to support the Women in Business Summit on September 21, 2025. Dr. Fong-Olivares delivered an inspiring keynote, setting the tone for a day filled with impactful workshops and panels. Attendees explored how Bentley University empowers young women to become a force in their future careers. It was a day of learning, inspiration, and building connections for the next generation of women leaders!
Dr. Fong-Olivares spoke at the R.I.S.E. Women's Leadership Conference on September 19th on the panel Leading with Inclusion: The DEI Advantage. Here, she discussed how DEI initiatives drive gender diversity and inclusion and offered strategies to elevate women into leadership roles. A few Bentley students attended the event, capturing their experience in a reel to showcase the day’s impactful moments.
Faculty Highlights
Tracy Noga: named a "Woman to Watch" by the Massachusetts Society of CPAs
MassCPAs announced the recipients of the 2024 Women to Watch Awards, celebrating exceptional women in the accounting profession. Among the honorees is Tracy Noga, PhD, CPA, professor and chair of Bentley University's Accounting Department, who is receiving the Experienced Leader award for her remarkable contributions and leadership in the field.
Congratulations to Tracy Noga, Ph.D., CPA and all the outstanding recipients!
Dr. Maricruz Osorio Receives Emerging Scholar Award
The Latino Caucus Emerging Scholar Award?was established in 2018 and is issued to a scholar who is no more than six years from earning their Ph.D., who has made a significant contribution to the Latina/o/x community, and who is awaiting tenure.
Congratulations to Maricruz Osorio and all the outstanding recipients!
Tell us about Your Experiences
The Center for Women and Business is supporting the faculty research of Amanda C. Sargent, Ph.D. and Emily Corwin, PhD . We invite director-level and above professionals to take part in a study on career sponsorship. The study aims to explore what constitutes sponsorship, how it varies by identity, and its impact on workplace equality.
Interested? Complete the survey here
Please reach out to Amanda C. Sargent, Ph.D. with any questions.
Save the Date!
Join us for the 20th Anniversary of the Gearing Up Conference on June 11, 2025. This milestone event will be a powerful day focused on advancing the leadership aspirations of all women+ individuals. Hear from incredible speakers and walk away with the tangible skills to thrive both professionally and personally, advance your career, and grow as inclusive leaders who will drive positive change across the business landscape. Registration launches in October — mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates on how to secure your spot at this empowering event!
Partnership Announcements
In our ongoing mission to support women+ entrepreneurs, the CWB is excited to announce our partnership with the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE). As part of this collaboration, CWE will host its Annual Awards Match-Making Breakfast at Bentley University on December 3. Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved and support this incredible opportunity for emerging women+ entrepreneurs!
In collaboration with Bentley University Athletics , we are thrilled to welcome a group of students from Boston Scores for an exciting day of learning and growth. The CWB will kick off the event with a workshop focused on building confidence. As part of this multi-departmental collaboration, Veronica Pierni will lead a session on entrepreneurship, while Vanessa V. and Jane De Leon Griffin will share their valuable insights on navigating success as First Gen students. The day will conclude with a soccer clinic hosted by Bentley's Women’s Soccer Team. Stay tuned for more details!
Upcoming Events
The?Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate Program?kicks off on October 18, 2024, and equips business executives with the training and tools to create and nurture an inclusive organizational culture. The program is designed to meet learners where they are in their DEI journey and move them forward as agents of change.?
We are thrilled to launch Pathways to Leadership: Essentials for Women on Nonprofit Boards. This two-day program kicks off on November 7, 2024, and will equip aspiring and current nonprofit board members with a business-focused approach to mission-driven work, enhancing their understanding of board governance, responsibilities, and the financial skills needed to help nonprofits positively impact their communities.