The Women’s Leadership Program at Cal State Fullerton was created to address the underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions while creating initiatives to help women break through those barriers.
Two years ago, the Women’s Leadership Program organized the first-ever International Women’s Day Conference as a platform for career development and empowerment.
The conference is always held on or around International Women’s Day, which this year was March 8.
The theme for the second conference, held on March 7, at the Titan Student Union, was titled “Unstoppable You: Building a Bold Personal Brand.”
Sharing her personal experiences with brand building was CSUF communications alumna Sharon Don, a Screen Actors Guild actress and producer, and a professional YouTuber.
As the keynote speaker, Don delivered an insightful speech, focusing on excelling in today’s competitive marketplace, making the most of opportunities, leveraging social media, expanding skill sets and maintaining brand flexibility.
“It’s about balancing yes with boundaries to find that middle ground,” Don said. “It’s basically about embracing possibilities, even when they’re outside your comfort zone. So, when you say yes, you challenge your self-doubt and allow yourself to explore what you’re truly capable of.”
Don used the acronym FOMO — fear of missing out — and how FOMO drove her to try new things.
“FOMO encouraged me to try something new,” she said. “For me, FOMO was the driving force.”
Don said she leveraged social media to create opportunities.
A prime example was her journey as a YouTuber, starting with her involvement in Jubilee Media’s ASMR-themed episode.
“I wasn’t planning to be a YouTuber,” she said. “I will tell you that.”
Her success as a YouTuber led to media opportunities and collaborations with other creators and sponsorships.
Don also discussed the value of personal interests, hobbies and passions.
For example, Don’s passion for Comic-Con helped her land a job, she said.
“Your personal passions are part of your brand,” Don said. “Diversifying your skills broadens your opportunity, connects you with your community, and ultimately is fun.”
Awards
Lori Muse, the director of the Women’s Leadership Program, and Sridhar Sundaram, dean of the College of Business and Economics, presented awards to JoAnna Moore, Founder of J. Moore Consulting Services, and Goli Sadri, professor of management at CSUF and director the program from 2015 to 2023.
Moore and Sadri co-founded the Women’s Leadership Program in 2015 to help young women develop the skills needed to excel in their chosen careers, particularly in leadership positions.
An award was also presented to Lacy Schoen, president and CEO of the Brea Chamber of Commerce and a consultant to the program.
Schoen developed a curriculum designed to help women overcome barriers on their career paths.
“Women are still making 81 cents for every dollar that a man makes,” Schoen said. “And you’d be staggered to know what could happen if we had paid equity in this state. If women made the same as men, we would eliminate 40% of poverty, and we would add $68 billion to our economy. I’d say that’s good for everybody.”
Sundaram said the Women’s Leadership Program has become one of the signature programs in the College of Business.
“It is in human stories,” Sundaram said. “When I hear about the women and the men who are participating in the program, and they come through and they’re successful and they are able to argue for themselves and negotiate better for themselves or become better at negotiating the challenges that they have in the workplace or in their personal life … that is the impact this program has.”