CHALLENGE CONTINUES
• Showing the ability to analyze as well as synthesize information as needed
• Possessing a natural curiosity and passion to learn as a leader, mentor where needed, and continuously improve the organization.
WOC: What’s been your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Sonya Sepahban: In our 24/7 world, maintaining a balance between work and home has been the single most constant struggle I have had through the years. Fortunately, I have a very strong family support structure, which was critical when I was raising my son. As I grow older and the demands of motherhood diminish and change, my values and com- mitments help me maintain a healthy balance.
WOC: What tips would you give to a young female graduate starting out?
Sonya Sepahban: As your career progresses, you may find yourself in a job that doesn’t even exist yet; using new and evolving technolo- gies that aren’t fully devel- oped yet to solve problems we don’t know are problems yet. I have a simple five-point formula that I offered my own son as he entered the workforce earlier this year that also applies to young women as they grow their careers: • Find your passion and pursue it!
• Practice collaboration as you can’t do it alone, no matter how great you are
• Expect the unexpected and learn how to be proactive and adapt.
• Communicate, communicate, and then communi- cate some more!
Using Knowledge to Get Ahead
Tips for Success Sonya Sepahban, senior vice president, engineering development and technol- ogy, General Dynamics Land Systems:
“Remember challenges are learning opportunities. We all face them; the key is how we deal with them, learn from them and define our path forward.”
Pat Elizondo is responsible for the go-to market strategy for global transportation and central and local govern- ment services. Prior, she led the sales integration of a $6.5 billion acquisition, which represented the acceleration of a Xerox initiative with revenue growth responsibilities in North America, developing markets, Europe and Asia- Pacific.
She joined Xerox in 1981 as an auditor and pro- gressed through financial, sales, operational and field manager positions in Indi- anapolis, northeast Ohio,
and as vice president/general manager of Maryland/Vir- ginia Customer Business Unit, and senior vice president of Xerox Global Services Sales.
Tips for Success Patricia (Pat) Elizondo, senior vice president, Global Sales and Marketing, Transportation, Central and Local Government Sector of Xerox Services: • Never get too far from the cus- tomer in your job
• Role model your expectations
• Recognize the world we com- pete in is 24/7
• Embrace lifelong learning • Continue to improve yourself and capabilities so you lead change and don’t fight it
• Align yourself with a com- pany that has the same values as your own
• Keep an eye on your own growth while supporting continuous improvement of the team.
www.womenofcolor.net
Women of Color: There are historical barriers in the workforce but more women are doing well and rising to the top. Which best practices do you think have helped women break- through?
Pat Elizondo: For me it’s always been about hav- ing strong knowledge and expertise in the data; the facts. You can be passion- ate about a project or an initiative but at the end of the day you need a business case based on the facts.
Although I had a back- ground in finance, my first summer jobs were in banking and credit card consumer service and a credit union. That made me appreciate [how important
it is] to have good dialog with customers and build loyalty.
WOMENOFCOLOR | SPRING 2013 49
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