New Orleans Women's Initiative Kicks Off "Women on Wednesdays"

The New Orleans Women's Initiative kicked off "Women on Wednesdays," a series of four events to address strategies for better living. The first event on April 30 featured a dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Baker Donelson Shareholder Nancy Degan, delving into Sheryl Sandberg's best seller, Lean In. The distinguished panel featured local women in business and law including Susan Broussard, chief counsel for Capital One Bank; Simone Bruni, president of Demo Diva Demolition; Courtney Garrett, senior vice president and CFO of Children's Hospital in New Orleans; Michelle Hayes of the Veteran Employment Services Office; and Jan Hayden, shareholder at Baker Donelson.

In their answers to questions regarding taking risks, gender stereotypes, working in male- dominated industries, mentoring and balancing their personal and professional lives, the panelists shared their tips and strategies for success. From the lengthy and helpful list, the New Orleans Women's Initiative identified the "top ten" tips:

1. "Own" your career and success.
2. Welcome opportunity: don't wait until you are ready to seek or accept a promotion.
3. Be confident and get comfortable with self-promotion.
4. Be ready with a practiced elevator speech.
5. Make the "ask" (for a job, a client, an assignment or a promotion) and back it up with reasons.
6. You will never know everything and you don't have to.
7. If you make a mistake, don't be defensive, make excuses or blame someone else: just fix it!
8. Be courageous: fight for yourself and do right by others.
9. Try for work/life balance.
10. Trust your instincts: you are best-suited to make decisions about your life and career.