Panel Discussion
When it comes to gender equality in the workplace, organizations are keeping a slow — and we do mean slow — and steady pace. In the United States in 2022, fields such as Aircraft Piloting, Agriculture, Architecture, Construction, Finance, and Information technology, are still male-dominated industries. Only 6.5% of women worked full-time in male-dominated occupations. Women working in male-dominated industries face various challenges. They use a variety of mechanisms to cope with working in male-dominated work environments, which can also be used in other industries. For a woman who is working in a male-dominated environment, what exactly does it take to thrive and succeed?
In this panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Jenna Bell of the ABWA Maryland Capital Chapter Professional Development Committee, we will talk to three successful women who work in male-dominated industries. They will share their stories and experiences about navigating work and life as strong women in these male-dominated industries.
In this panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Jenna Bell of the ABWA Maryland Capital Chapter Professional Development Committee, we will talk to three successful women who work in male-dominated industries. They will share their stories and experiences about navigating work and life as strong women in these male-dominated industries.
Meet the Panelists
Dr. Deitrice Willard-Ruffin has made her mark in history! She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in Northern Virginia. After becoming the first African American female Postmaster in Bethesda, Maryland, she became a game changer in the real estate industry. Refusing not to be her sister's keeper, Dee began to empower women over the age of 40 to walk in financial freedom by learning the real estate world. She has been featured on various Podcasts, radio stations, and many appearances on stage at events Nationwide. Several of her housing projects were featured locally as well as one being featured on the hit TV show - HGTV House Hunters.
Believing that no woman should be left behind, this savvy business woman created a real estate academy. She has received numerous recognitions and these accomplishments have been notably recognized. Dee is known for her adept leadership abilities. Dee shattered the chains of fear a long time ago and broke through the glass ceiling unafraid. Working in corporate America the rules Dee played by were not her own. Never apologizing for choosing herself first, the only playbook that Dee plays by now is the one that’s owned and written by her. Widowed at an early age, Dee is the proud mother of two sons, one daughter, and she is the extra proud Grandmother of two boys, Gabriel and Elijjah.
Believing that no woman should be left behind, this savvy business woman created a real estate academy. She has received numerous recognitions and these accomplishments have been notably recognized. Dee is known for her adept leadership abilities. Dee shattered the chains of fear a long time ago and broke through the glass ceiling unafraid. Working in corporate America the rules Dee played by were not her own. Never apologizing for choosing herself first, the only playbook that Dee plays by now is the one that’s owned and written by her. Widowed at an early age, Dee is the proud mother of two sons, one daughter, and she is the extra proud Grandmother of two boys, Gabriel and Elijjah.
Cecilia Beach Brown, Certified Financial Planner, is always focused on financial planning from the top down with her clients. This means that she leads with the big picture and then figures out how to put the financial puzzle pieces together. Frequently, her clients tell her at the end of their meetings that they covered issues that they didn’t even know they had until she brought them up.
Cecilia feels as though financial planning is a calling for her. She has the honor of serving her clients by being there with them through some of their toughest times – the loss of a spouse, the loss of a job, and other unexpected events that can really derail their lives. She also has the honor of celebrating with them the successes – the retirements, the college graduations, and the weddings. Having been a planner for over twenty years, she now gets to see the results of all of the planning that they’ve done through the years.
Cecilia earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 2003 and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA™) designation in 2007. The training involved to earn both of these designations as well as the continuing education and ethics requirements for the Certified Financial Planner designation has helped to keep her current with the ongoing changes in the world of financial planning. Starting in 2019, she worked extensively with Lincoln Financial Securities to help develop a company wide initiative around Dynamic Financial Planning. This work is allowing her to train other advisors not only about the importance of financial planning, but also the importance of having a process to consistently deliver ongoing planning that adapts to all the changes in the market, the tax code and their client’s lives.
When she's not in the office, she spends her time mostly with her husband, two middle school aged daughters, and two large dogs. She coaches her daughters in lacrosse, is active with their church, and with Anne Arundel Women Giving Together. When she isn't running around with all of those activities, you’ll find her on the Eastern Shore crabbing, sailing and working in the garden.
Cecilia feels as though financial planning is a calling for her. She has the honor of serving her clients by being there with them through some of their toughest times – the loss of a spouse, the loss of a job, and other unexpected events that can really derail their lives. She also has the honor of celebrating with them the successes – the retirements, the college graduations, and the weddings. Having been a planner for over twenty years, she now gets to see the results of all of the planning that they’ve done through the years.
Cecilia earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 2003 and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA™) designation in 2007. The training involved to earn both of these designations as well as the continuing education and ethics requirements for the Certified Financial Planner designation has helped to keep her current with the ongoing changes in the world of financial planning. Starting in 2019, she worked extensively with Lincoln Financial Securities to help develop a company wide initiative around Dynamic Financial Planning. This work is allowing her to train other advisors not only about the importance of financial planning, but also the importance of having a process to consistently deliver ongoing planning that adapts to all the changes in the market, the tax code and their client’s lives.
When she's not in the office, she spends her time mostly with her husband, two middle school aged daughters, and two large dogs. She coaches her daughters in lacrosse, is active with their church, and with Anne Arundel Women Giving Together. When she isn't running around with all of those activities, you’ll find her on the Eastern Shore crabbing, sailing and working in the garden.
Laurie Sayles is an author, change agent, thought leader, serial entrepreneur, and the President & CEO of Civility Management Solutions, a professional consulting firm working within the Government and Commercial space.* CivilityMS has received numerous awards since being established and listed on INC 5000 for the past three years, including being selected as 1 of 100 Minority Businesses in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia region.
Laurie was selected as a “Compassionate Business Leader” due to her advocacy on behalf of Veteran business owners. She has served on Small Business Committee Hearings in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives and participated in many pilot programs for veterans and small business owners.
Laurie received her BS in Social Science, a Minor in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, and a Business Project Management Certification from the University of Maryland University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus). She serves as the Chair of the Women Veterans Business Coalition, which fights for policy changes for Veteran Women-Owned Businesses. Laurie authored “As My Leaders Go… So Do I,” which has been the foundation for the Mind Merging Summit. Proceeds for the Summit support programming for survivors of domestic violence. Laurie’s recently launched nonprofit “R3” (Recognize, Repair and Repeat) is the umbrella organization for all of her philanthropic efforts (including Mind Merging Summit) in support of women, Veterans, and disadvantaged communities.
*CivilityMS is a Certified Small Business Administration 8(a), Women-Owned, verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business located in Greenbelt, MD.
Laurie was selected as a “Compassionate Business Leader” due to her advocacy on behalf of Veteran business owners. She has served on Small Business Committee Hearings in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives and participated in many pilot programs for veterans and small business owners.
Laurie received her BS in Social Science, a Minor in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, and a Business Project Management Certification from the University of Maryland University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus). She serves as the Chair of the Women Veterans Business Coalition, which fights for policy changes for Veteran Women-Owned Businesses. Laurie authored “As My Leaders Go… So Do I,” which has been the foundation for the Mind Merging Summit. Proceeds for the Summit support programming for survivors of domestic violence. Laurie’s recently launched nonprofit “R3” (Recognize, Repair and Repeat) is the umbrella organization for all of her philanthropic efforts (including Mind Merging Summit) in support of women, Veterans, and disadvantaged communities.
*CivilityMS is a Certified Small Business Administration 8(a), Women-Owned, verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business located in Greenbelt, MD.
Don't Forget to Purchase Your 50/50 Tickets
We will continue to sell 50/50 Raffle Tickets prior to the meeting, as well as during the meeting.
If you purchase your tickets in advance, you will receive your tickets at the door!
Proceeds will be paid via cash or check at the end of the meeting.
Winners need NOT be present to win!
No need to bring a receipt, we will your tickets ready and waiting for you.
If you purchase your tickets in advance, you will receive your tickets at the door!
Proceeds will be paid via cash or check at the end of the meeting.
Winners need NOT be present to win!
No need to bring a receipt, we will your tickets ready and waiting for you.
