Hendy Dayton T'87, director for business development at YourOnRamp, was a conference speaker.
Celebrating 40 Years of Women at Tuck
The year 1968 marked two milestones for the Tuck School of Business: John Hennessey became dean, and the school opened its doors—for the first time—to women. This was no coincidence, Dean Hennessey explained at Tuck's annual Women in Business Conference on October 3-4, which celebrated "40 Years of Women at Tuck." The acceptance of women to Tuck was a condition of his becoming dean. Welcome women, and he would take up the post. Refuse, and the school could find someone else. It was not simply that the community would be improved by the presence of women, he explained; it was also a matter of social justice.
Forty years later, women make up more than a third of the Tuck student body. And their presence was highlighted as alumni and prospective and current students gathered to discuss a range of topics germane to current businesswomen. Organized by second-year Tuck students, the Women in Business Conference offered women the chance to connect through social activities and interactive educational panels, and to facilitate discussion about key issues facing women in the modern business environment.
On day one of conference, prospective students from around the country became better acquainted with the Tuck experience. Some women had attended the Tuck Business Bridge Program as undergraduates, some were visiting Tuck for the first time, and the majority appeared eager to become part of the Tuck student body. For these women, the day consisted of a student panel, a mock class, and an admissions Q&A. At the admissions presentation, most wanted to know how to strengthen their applications and to get a better idea of what Tuck is looking for. The admissions staff explained Tuck's holistic approach to the admissions process. "People shine for different reasons—there's no cookie cutter model that we're looking for," said Associate Director of Admissions Pat Harrison. "We want to know where you've been, where you want to go, and how we are the bridge to get you there."
Conference participants moved on to an informal lunch before listening to the keynote speaker of the day, Christina Morrison T'93, senior vice president and CFO for the pharmaceutical division at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. Morrison told the crowd that of all she learned at Tuck, the broad base of skills benefited her most. Such skills, she elaborated, are essential to dynamic, effective leadership. The ability to look beyond the numbers to a more general management perspective has enabled Morrison to excel in a variety of business roles, including her current position.
Morrison acknowledged that to be in a position of power can be rife with difficulty. "These are the paradoxes of leadership," she continued, "you must be decisive but open, have broad vision but know the details, trust others but verify the facts. It's not just about being tough; I admit it when I'm confused or when I'm wrong. A curious mind is essential to business—I never stop asking why."
She offered some final words of advice. "Don't hide your light—you have to be your own advocate. Keep pushing, always find a way to get it done. If there's no window or door, find a vent. And remember that such spirit, camaraderie, and teamwork are truly unique to Tuck MBAs." Morrison closed by admitting that her desk at work is littered with a variety of Tuck memorabilia (though she's running low on pens). "I'm proud of where I came from," she said.
The following day, the conference continued with two more keynote speakers, Carla Harris, managing director in Global Capital Markets at Morgan Stanley, and Noreen Doyle T'74, former former first vice president at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Alumni and current students spent the day at a number of panels, including "How to Break Through the Glass Ceiling," "Cross Gender Perceptions and Communication," and "The Working Woman: How to Manage Your Career and Everything Else Life Throws at You."
The conference culminated with a dinner at which Dean John Hennessey spoke, and a number of Tuck's earliest women were honored. Martha Fransson T'70, the first woman to attend Tuck, was present at the conference and shared valuable insight.
"In the end, I can say that my Tuck MBA made it possible to acquire experience at a time when women's roles in business were very limited," Fransson said. "I shall forever be grateful to all those who made it possible for me." And how about a word of wisdom for those debating whether or not to apply to Tuck? "I walk and talk like a Tuck MBA—and the Tuck MBA is different from all the others," she said.
Tuck's Women in Business Conference took place October 3-4, 2008 on the Tuck School campus.
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