A Seat at the Table

“My business has taken a 180-degree growth spurt, and I attribute that success to “A Seat at the Table” and learning the importance of niching oneself and thinking more strategically.”

Sitting at a boardroom of 12, perhaps 2 of the seats are filled with women. Men and women executives need the same things to obtain and utilize their seat at that table: developmental programs and a strong network of peers and mentors. A Seat at the Table (ASATT) provides access to all of these needs, focusing on women who are not traditionally afforded the same opportunities as their male executive counterparts.

The goal of ASATT is to help women cultivate their vision, an influential voice and a strong community of experts, peers, mentors and sponsors to lead with confidence and contribute effectively when they have a seat at the table. Our programs are based on the precept that leadership requires a wide range of qualities, behaviors, skills and attributes, summarized in 2 overarching components:

Leading Yourself: Knowing and leading from one’s strengths, interpretation of contexts and situations, being authentic and congruent.

Leading Others: Power from charting vision and strategy, risk-taking, influencing, creating and managing change, negotiating effectively, resolving conflict, and creating a WE-centric culture.

The Research
Research shows that most women are dissatisfied with their ability to network and feel excluded from informal networks that provide access to influential clients and colleagues. The lack of mentoring opportunities is believed to be the leading barrier to women’s advancement. In order to flourish and thrive, women need new and creative opportunities to expand their base of influence and to gain the confidence and poise needed for success.

Women and the Vision Thing ~ Harvard Business Review
The Qualities That Distinguish Women Leaders ~ Caliper
Connecting Corporate Performance and Gender Diversity ~ Catalyst

The Inspiration
Catalyst “Barriers” ~Canadian but works here too!
Boys Only Boards~ BusinessWeek 6/23/11

Our Programs

A Seat at the Table (and USING it) is a nine-session leadership development program for experienced senior level women leaders who wish to be more influential with their seat at the table, USING their seat in the most effective way to the contribute to the strategic agenda. Current class began Nov. 16/17, 2012.

Eligible Women

- 10 years of professional experience

- A desire to develop your vision, voice and community
- Possess a wide variety of skills and interests

A Seat at the Table (and GETTING It) is a five-session leadership development program for women who are high potential middle managers or who have owned their own business for at least five years and wish to GET a seat at the table. This program is co-facilitated by Cindy Tortorici and Katie C . Kelley. The current class began on August 15, 2012. The next class will begin April 3. Additional dates include May 1, June 5, July 17, August 7.

A Seat at the Table – and Getting It was a great experience and I believe emerging female leaders would benefit from this program. It was very hands on and intensive. Katie and Cindy provided us with practical insights and useful skills in dealing with the leadership challenges faced by new leaders or managers. I felt the material was crafted well for a middle management audience so felt it was very applicable and useful. Beyond just the skills we learned, Cindy and Katie led us each on personal journey which required a great deal of introspection to understand how and why our leadership style was crafted and what really drives each of us. I treasure the strong network of women and relationships I have built during the program.~Melissa Weisensee, Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis, Kaiser Permanente

The Experts
The Link has assembled a team of experts who are savvy, smart, professional and considered ‘Best in Class’ to conduct the sessions. This diverse brain trust understands the nuances of the business world and is an invaluable resource throughout the nine-session program.

The Board of Mentors
Our ‘Board of Mentors’ is a vastly accomplished group of powerful, successful and generous women. The Portland Board includes:Joan Tate Allen, Owner, Windermere Real Estate
Erica Dailey, Executive Director, CFO, Millar Nash LLP
Sue Hildick, President, Chalkboard Project
Karen Hinsdale, Philanthropist, Owner, The Cellar Door
Michelle Lantow, Former CFO, McCormick and Schmick’s
Sandi McDonough, CEO/President, Portland Business Alliance
Sarah Mensah, COO, Portland Trail Blazers
Laureen O’Brien, CIO, Providence Health Systems
Linda Pearce, Former EVP/CFO, WARN Industries
Patty Ross, Sr. Director, Global Product Process Innovation, Nike Inc.
Karen L. Schartman, VP/CFO, Kaiser Permanente
DJ Wilson, Pres/GM, KGW Media Group Portland