Advancing Women in the Workplace

With internship panels, alumni networking events and “Tea Talks,” the Marist Women in Business club offers valuable opportunities for women entering the industry.

The Marist Women in Business C-Suite, also known as the executive leadership board. (note: all members of the C-Suite are in the same "quarantine pod," and used proper social distancing measures before and after this photo). Source: Declan Fung, ’21

“A combination of professional development and community bonding events creates a space where women can get together and learn from one another and grow their network,” club president, Jana Brzovski said. “I think it's so important to act as each other's resources, rather than being competitors.”

Although the proportion of women in business and finance is growing, the industry is predominantly male — which is why a community of like-minded and driven women is essential to fostering the growing success in the field.

“I remember being so intimidated by finance when I was a freshman because I didn't really know any women who were in that field,” Bzovski said. “It's important for me to show younger women that just because you're a woman, it doesn't mean you don't belong. You shouldn't have to walk into a place where you excel and feel that you have to prove yourself.”

In the fall of 2019, Jay Pantaleo, a professor in the School of Management, suggested that Bzovski take the helm on starting a Marist chapter of the organization. But because the organization is centered around women in business, Pantaleo has become somewhat of a silent partner. Joanne Gavin, also a School of Management professor, serves as the main faculty advisor.

The Marist chapter of the Women in Business club is centered around promoting the success of women in the business field. Source: Marist Women in Business

“There are still very definitive challenges for women in the workplace, especially for women who want to enter areas of business that are still heavily male-dominated,” Gavin said. “Having an organization of women helping other women to accomplish those goals, I believe, is critically important.”

So far, the club has held panels with alumni, invited guest speakers, and have sent out monthly newsletters with podcast recommendations and a “Woman of the Month” feature. While plans for in-person events have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, the club has been adapting to the online format with monthly “Tea Talks,” or Zoom calls with open conversations on a variety of topics.

“In September, we had a conversation about the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, because it was right after she passed. This month, we talked about registration tips and tricks, but also the “Bachelorette,”” Brzovski said. “They can be helpful and informative, but they’re also meant to be fun.”

This semester, interest and membership in the Women in Business club has grown exponentially. The club’s email list reaches over 100 students and the number of followers on the club’s Instagram account has nearly doubled since September — which is impressive for such a niche club. Although the club is targeted at women in the business and finance fields, Brzovksi said that men are more than welcome to join, as long as they have an interest in the subject matter.

“I really appreciate the interest in starting this organization not just for women, but also inviting men to be a part of it as well,” Gavin said. “It’s really only when all of us work together to eliminate the bias and eliminate the challenges that it's really going to work for everybody.”

In such a competitive industry, a sense of community is necessary to champion women in the field. “I still walk into the investment center in Hancock on a daily basis and feel like I have to prove myself all over again, or just work twice as hard,” Brzovski said. “But I don't think women should be competing with each other. I think we should be empowering and uplifting one another, because there are enough seats at the table.”

As for the future success of the club, Gavin hopes that it will continue to gain traction among the student body. “My greatest wish is that we can continue finding a strong, interested body of young women that can keep this on a good path.”