Northland Women Take On Leadership In The Workplace

Professional women will gather in the Twin Ports on Thursday to talk about women assuming leadership roles in the workplace.

The Aim High Network is a group of women who meet to discuss issues confronting them in the workplace. These workers want to address how women can thrive in their careers among their male counterparts.

Co-founder of the Aim High Network, Pam Solberg-Tapper, said it’s important to talk about women at work because they make up almost half the U.S. workforce.

“So there are many woman who should rise in the ranks to be able to be leaders within organizations to bring their areas of expertise and their backgrounds and knowledge into the workplace and to also help those following along, rising in the ranks behind them,” she said.

Solberg-Tapper said employers can provide mentoring to women and millennials to help them advance in their careers. She said they should also encourage collaboration and communication.

“Women in particular are looking for more collaborative-type relationships in work,” she said. “That’s the way we like to operate – to be a part of various collaborations and projects. Then, also, that there is open communication where people have an opportunity to voice their concerns with leaders, as well.”

Mary Mathews, co-founder of the Aim High Network, said they created the organization to provide a place where women could come together and have meaningful conversations about being leaders.

“Some of what women can continue to do is to build their leadership capacity, learn from other women who have been successful, support each other and support the women who are coming up in the workplace behind them,” she said.

Linda Cadotte, director of Superior Parks, Recreation, and Forestry, said it’s important for women to support one another in attaining leadership roles.

“I don’t think I’d be where I’m at today without the support and mentoring and guidance from other women who were in leadership positions,” she said.

The featured speaker for the event is Tricia Correia. The Duluth native will speak about her year-long research initiative on women and millennials in the workplace. The event will be held Thursday, June 29, at the Kitchi Gammi Club in Duluth starting at 11:30 a.m.