The Executive Women of Goizueta is an organization within Goizueta Business School that allows alumni to connect and support one another through annual events and programs.
“The mission of the Executive Women of Goizueta is to create a community that advances personal and professional leadership for Goizueta women and allies,” explains President Nicole Rife 16EvMBA.
Rife, a senior director of product management of money movement at Conservice, joined Executive Women of Goizueta in 2020 after working with the last president. Rife served two years on the conference programming committee before joining the organization’s board in 2022. Before becoming president herself, she held the roles of general programming chair, sponsorship chair, and vice president.
“It’s a privilege to serve as president of the Executive Women of Goizueta board this year,” says Rife. “Our community of Goizueta women, supporters, and allies inspires me daily.”
The group also gained two new board members this year. Setu Shah 15MBA joins as engagement and general programming co-chair, and Hope Cowan 88MBA as marketing co-chair. Shah is the founder and CEO of Financial Doula, and Cowan is the principal consultant at Hope Cowan Consulting.
The remaining board members include:
- – Vice president: René Hallock 20EvMBA, director of integrated marketing at Intuit Mailchimp
- – Marketing co-chair: Abby England, principal at Abby England Consulting
- – Sponsorship co-chairs: Caren Lusk 13MBA, senior director of strategic insights at Optum Insight, and Missy Taylor 22EMBA, president of Dagger
- – Conference programming co-chairs: Jen Kostyrna 04C 18EvMBA, director of product management of identity solutions at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and Lorry Perkins 15EMBA 17L, head of global talent and transformation enablement office at Nike
- – Conference logistics co-chairs: Liz Wolfe 16MBA 16PH, product portfolio lead at McKesson, and Tara Hornsby 24EMBA, senior director at Ankura
- – Treasurer: Julie Friedberg 87C 23EMBA, vice president of development at Kindle Energy
- – General programming co-chair: Kristy Hoffman 17EvMBA, principal and senior client advisor at Bessemer Trust
- – Awards and scholarship chair: Kuki Gandhi 15EvMBA, director of product and business strategy at ROSALIND
- – Outgoing president: Tara Halfon 14EvMBA, senior people strategist at Truist
The organization will hold several other professional growth and social events throughout the year, including their annual Advancing Women in Leadership Conference on March 28. Updates for all events can be found on the group’s social media platforms.
One of this year’s events is a virtual one. Taking place on September 26, it will feature Brandon Smith, an adjunct faculty member of Goizueta’s Executive Education program. Smith is also president of The Worksmiths, LLC, an executive coaching and leadership development firm. He is known as the “Workplace Therapist” and hosts his own podcast.
“Executive Women of Goizueta’s goals and purpose are strengthening our community of Goizueta women and allies. We do this through impactful event programming, providing more scholarship opportunities, enhancing personal and professional leadership development for our members, and expanding our professional networks to create more opportunities for advancement and support,” shares Abby England.
England attended the annual conference in 2023 and joined the group as a way to stay connected to Goizueta.
“I get to work with experienced business leaders on the board, who are passionate about creating opportunities to help women connect and grow. It is deeply fulfilling,” says England.
Whether someone has interest in financial giving, holding a board or committee position, or simply attending an event, the Executive Women of Goizueta are always looking for eager alumni and allies to join their community.
Would you like to find out more our thriving community? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or reach out to emoryexecwomen@gmail.com.
