What a pleasant surprise to be tagged in a LinkedIn post by my daughter as she shared with her network some great professional news. She just completed her Leadership & Management Certificate Program at Wharton online. I’m super proud of her! She tagged me to thank me for the “nudge”.

I remember well our “nudge” conversation back in August. I remember it more as a conversation where she asked for advice on how best to pursue her education given her current work and how her career is evolving. She has been at the same company for the past 8 years and been promoted several times – she is now Sr. Manager, Executive Communications and Administration, partnering with the CEO and executive leadership team. I would call it more of an ask for advice and get ideas/encouragement conversation.

Her discipline and persistence to get started and finish it in just 6 months is impressive – all while working full-time and as a mother of two young children. It reminds me of when I decided to get my MBA many years ago when she and her sister were young and I had a full-time management job.

I’ve talked about my two daughters in previous posts. I try to be a role model for them professionally.  I’ve given them advice as their careers have advanced and am proud to see their accomplishments. They both have a passion for their work and have received awards for leadership and innovation. As I counsel people early in their career – find your passion, be open to the possibilities, and never stop learning.

Many women describe their mothers and grandmothers as inspiring role models. Today would be my mother’s birthday. She died just shy of her 68^th birthday after a short battle with cancer. She was only 42 when my father died, leaving her to raise four young children on her own. My mother was a role model for me – a strong and independent woman. She was generous with her time doing volunteer work and instilled in all of us a sense of responsibility and commitment to social justice. I learned a lot from her and regret that my two daughters didn’t get to have her around as they grew up. I truly treasure the time I have with my adult daughters and grandchildren and try to be a good role model for all of them.

During Women’s History Month, I’ve seen many inspiring articles and posts on social media. As someone said during the CHIME DEI Dialogues for Women’s History Month, let’s make it about women’s futures, not just women’s history. Here are a few of those articles and posts worth checking out as this month comes to an end:

27 thoughts on leadership from women in healthcare

Leadership Lessons from Madeleine Albright, The First Female Secretary of State

How sponsorship can help women in tech advance

Short video from Melinda Gates on how far away true equality is

I am proud of my daughters and what they have already accomplished in their careers. I’ll be there for them whenever they need advice or a “nudge”. I am committed to developing next generation leaders through my work and mentoring where I can and ensuring equity for women in the workplace. I hope you share that commitment.

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7 ways to develop next generation leaders

Leaders as mentors