She Suite panelists highlight benefits, challenges of inclusion

How do we #InspireInclusion?

The 2024 International Women’s Day theme sparked a meaningful and wide-ranging discussion at this year’s She Suite panel. Accomplished business leaders shared their journeys to success, as well as what they’re doing to create the inclusive workplaces of the future.

She Suite has become one of the most popular events in WashU Olin’s Leadership Perspectives series. This year’s event on March 7 was no exception, drawing a standing-room-only audience in Emerson Auditorium, along with a virtual audience online.

Moderator Staci Thomas, professor of practice in communications, led enlightening conversations about some of the most pressing issues around gender and inclusion with three women who have ties to Olin’s MBA program:

• Gwendolyn Doss, EMBA 2021, chief engineer, Boeing
• Elise Miller Hoffman, MBA 2016, chief operating officer, ImageMover, and general partner, Cultivation Capital
• Tina René Sappington, EMBA 2024, president and owner, Integrated Solutions Worldwide.

The event was emceed by Sharon James, Olin professor of practice in strategy and entrepreneurship.

The advantages of inclusion

If you have an inclusive workspace, you’re going to problem-solve better, you’re going to be more innovative, you can take more risks.

—Tina René Sappington

Achieving work-life balance

I work in operations, I do a lot of strategic planning, and I’m a big believer in strategic planning for your own life. I feel that need to have intentionality and purpose in my life as a whole.  

—Elise Miller Hoffmann

Bringing others along

If I take an opportunity for growth for me, I see it also an opportunity for me to create growth … can I help somebody else grow?  

—Gwendolyn Doss

Thomas sent the audience home with a challenge: Take action to inspire inclusivity in their own lives and careers.

Photo: (From left) Olin Professor Staci Thomas moderates the She Suite panel: Gwendolyn Doss, Elise Miller Hoffmann and Tina René Sappington.