Event Extra
Women in Business Breakfast at Microsoft
The CCC’s Women in Business Committee held a breakfast panel at Microsoft’s NERD Center on March 22. WIB programming and initiatives highlight women leaders and entrepreneurs.

Patricia Mullen, Vice President from event sponsor Cambridge Trust Company served as the moderator. She introduced the four panelists:
Angie Anderson, Partner Product Unit Manager, Microsoft—Partner Product Unit Manager for the Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) Team in Cambridge, Angie joined Microsoft in January 2008.
Sara Spalding, Senior Director, Microsoft New England R&D Center—Sarah leads the team responsible for Microsoft’s Cambridge Campus and the company’s local technical & community outreach. Sara joined Microsoft in 1991 and has worked on a wide range of products and technologies.
Lyla Goldstein, Professional Development Manager, Microsoft—Lyla, a Professional Development Manager for a MACH team in the Services Commercial Consulting organization, works out of the Waltham office. She is also the Microsoft Diversity Champ representing the Services Consulting Organization. Lyla joined Microsoft in 2008.
Terrell Cox, Principal Group Program Manager, Microsoft Application Virtualization—Terrell joined Microsoft in 1998 and helped design and deliver Windows, Windows Server, System Center, Small Business Server, and many other products. As a founding member of the Server & Tools Women’s Leadership Council her passion is helping working moms be amazing at everything they do. Terrell just moved to Cambridge from Seattle with her husband and two daughters.

The panelists discussed how they came to be at Microsoft and identified one skill/trait/ or lesson that they acquired prior that they feel has best served them in succeeding at Microsoft. Additional questions addressed leadership, mentorship, learning moments and advice to those just starting out in the workforce.

The panelists talked about finding work/life balance, with Lyla commenting that she feels that it’s very important to be honest with your employer about your needs and expectations. Terrell said that she believes you can “have it all,” you just have to be really clear about what having it all is. She emphasized that she feels that it is really important to be present in the moment, whatever you are doing.

Lyla spoke about her new role managing a team of college hires and said that her advice is instead of having the mentality of always chasing the next job, do your current job really well. You will start getting noticed, your work will speak for itself, and together with your personality, that will become your brand.

Angie emphasized that she thinks it is important for women to find their voice and not be afraid. To be successful, you must be willing to take risks and push yourself out of your comfort zone.

The idea of mentorship versus sponsorship was discussed, with sponsors being people who champion you to others. Terrell recommending finding a sponsor by identifying your sphere of influence, the people you really respect or the people you have a natural chemistry with and are just naturally attracted to and then having a conversation with them.

Patsy asked the panelists about their pre-conceived notions about Microsoft or the biggest surprise they had since joining the company. Responses included that is not a top down organization, it is surprisingly open and welcoming and it’s about people teaching people.

Answers to the question: “If earnings or education were not a factor, what is one occupation you’d love to try?” ranged from forensic scientist, wedding planner or baker to ski coach or marine biologist.

Join us at the next Women in Business event on Friday, May 11 featuring Cambridge College President Deborah Jackson. See page 15 for information. 

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