-Perspectives
whose work in Afghanistan so moved every one of us, and keynote luncheon speaker Sheri Orlowitz, President and CEO of Shan Industries wowed us with humour and insight, offering a rare perspective of a woman who owns and operates a major business in the manufacturing sector. KPMG partner Christine St. Clare gave a clear and compelling look at women and the essentials of business leadership.
But if you ask me what was the most memorable aspect, I'd have to say walrus tipping.
Before I explain, the issue around walrus tipping is a metaphor for advancing in your career and life came from Gwendolyn Sikes, the dynamic Chief Financial Officer at NASA. As a keynote speaker, Gwendolyn led us through a career path that took her from her home state of
Alaska to the top ranks of the world's pre-eminent space agency.
She shared with us many of the lessons she learned along the way, including the impact that walrus tipping had on her as a girl in
Alaska . While some of her southern compatriots might have engaged in the occasional bout of cow-tipping - knocking over the docile but unsuspecting beasts - in Alaska, the only cows to be had were walrus and so teenaged hijinks for Gwendolyn included approaching a gigantic sea mammal with ferocious tusks and prodding until the walrus flopped over, or "tipped".
Walrus tipping requires strength and bravery, two traits Ms. Sikes has brought to her role as CFO. She shared many of the challenges she has faced, including dismal marks in mathematics and being a trailblazer as a woman in a male-dominated industry and organization. However, she rests on the firm foundation of knowing that any of these challenges are easily conquered, compared to walrus tipping, that is.
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