Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA’s Post

Women leaders, how have male leaders helped you in your careers -- especially in male dominated industries? We can all learn and benefit from leaders of all genders but research shows that we tend to gravitate to same-sex mentors. For our FEARLESS publication, I turned to local leaders and asked about male mentors whose support was key in their development and advancement – and why male mentorship was so important to their careers. Here is what Schutty Lezlee, EVP, Chief Credit Officer at Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA, had to say: "Banking has traditionally been more of a male-dominated industry, especially in commercial lending credit administration. Since I have spent most of my career in this field, I’ve had several male mentors who positively impacted my life at various stages of my career. All of them fueled my ambition to want – and have – a seat at the table so my voice could be heard. They advised me to stay my true self and not feel like I shouldn’t speak up or that I had to be more reserved when working with men. The perspectives of my male mentors made me stronger and helped me understand what qualities I needed to improve to become a better communicator, decision-maker and future mentor. Had I only received mentoring from women and not been exposed to the unique qualities of men, I know I would not be where I am today. You can read the whole Des Moines Business Record FEARLESS article here: https://bit.ly/3z6RHwz. Stay tuned for more insights from Nikki Syverson of Isaccson-Syverson Consulting, and check out prior responses from Alissa McKinney of Above + Beyond Cancer, Stacey Robles, MBA of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Emily Mendez of Proteus, Inc. #womenleaders hashtag #mentors hashtag #malementors hashtag #leadershipdevelopment hashtag #culture. K. Clinton Gerst thank you for the inspiration for this article!

Early in my career, I benefitted greatly from informal mentorship from men. Since there were few women in the financial field I then worked in, it was logical to turn to men for advice. Formal mentoring has become much more mainstream today; however, a recent Forbes article reported that the majority of people opt for same-sex mentors; 69% women turned to other women and 82% of men turned to other men for this type of support. While it is gratifying that there are more women in senior positions to turn to today, it is important for women to seek out males for mentorship as well. With this in mind, I turned to local leaders and asked about male mentors whose support was key in their development and advancement – and why male mentorship was so important to their careers. Here is what Alissa McKinney, executive director, Above + Beyond Cancer, had to say: "I had many more male mentors during the early years of my career in the 80s. As a student at Simpson College, I had a male mentor who encouraged me to think bigger. I met him when I was on the student paper, always asking questions. He saw something in me that I had not realized yet. He challenged me. He had high expectations. We are still in touch, and he still is one of my biggest fans. Does it matter today that I had the early influence of male mentors? No. I have had many mentors, both female and male, since that time who have all played a critical role at different times. I believe what is most important is having the right mentor at the right time in your career. My first mentor saw my potential and that is exactly what I needed." You can read the whole Des Moines Business Record FEARLESS article here: https://bit.ly/3z6RHwz. Stay tuned for more insights from Emily Mendez of Proteus, Inc., Stacey Robles, MBA of Greater Des Moines Partnership, Schutty Lezlee of Community State Bank - Des Moines, IA and Nikki Syverson of Isaacson-Syverson Consulting. #womenleaders #mentors #malementors #leadershipdevelopment #culture. K. Clinton Gerst thanks for the inspiration for this article!

INSPIRING LEADERSHIP IN YOUNG GIRLS . Sylvia drew my heart. One of the first leadership traits I see in women and even young girls is confidence. Confidence comes from a level of self-assurance. . Confidence is not just a personal trait, it is a leadership trait. As someone whose favorite past time is speaking to builders, captains of industries, founders and social disruptors, one thing I see across this group of people is CONFIDENCE- that assurance of self. You cannot influence people without confidence yet this is a trait that is specifically lacking in 75% of female leaders. . I love to see young girls have a mind of their own, people who forge ahead of obstacles and say this is who I am and this is what I want to be. . It was my Joy to affirm her. I said “I see a leader in you. You are bold and I like you”. Then she shared her dreams with me and the conflict between two of her passions and I said yes you can do both and proceeded to tell her how both merge. You do not have to be defined by just one label, there is such a thing as being a multipotentialite. . I quickly reminded her that the world tries to tell women who are bold & dare to dream that they are too much. It would try to silence your voice & oppose your dreams by reminding you of what you don’t have or that you are a woman so you should consider your family at the expense of the pulsations of your heart. We can build both with wisdom!! . I reminded her that she never has to deny her strength, her strong personality & go-getter spirit. That sort of self-denial would cost her pain because it goes against her innate wiring. That she would have to learn to modulate it around certain people & God would give her wisdom to navigate this. . It is my Joy to see, build and inspire confidence in young women who are the next generation of female leaders and let them see that leadership has a face & that face is theirs. It is a skill that can be learnt! It is better to start off too strong and modulate than to start off losing your voice and trying to gain strength. May the Lord keep this precious daughter! . #feminineleadership #womeninleadership #thefutureisfemale #confidence #confidencecoach #womenempowerment #highvaluewoman #identity

Yes, women should manage their careers, market themselves, and drive their journey. Look for allies and ask for help. Asking for help “does not make you look weak or incapable, but rather proactive and solution-oriented.” Embracing the power of asking for help and leveraging bidirectional mentorship has empowered me to become a proactive, strategic, and inclusive leader. It is through this mindset that I have been able to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and make a lasting impact in my career while positioning others to succeed. This approach inspires others to do the same, creating a culture of collaboration, growth, and success #WomensHistoryMonth #Leadership

To be a leader requires not just skills, but also recognition and equal opportunities. Today, there are still barriers that limit women from advancing into leadership roles. Throughout history, authority has often been seen as a privilege for men, creating a culture where women must work twice as hard for the recognition they deserve. 🇺🇸 In the United States, only 29% of top executive positions are held by women, despite making up 47% of the workforce (Catalyst, 2023). In academic and scientific environments, women face significant challenges, from biases in evaluations to lower representation in leadership roles. The "Jennifer and John Effect" shows how gender biases affect professional opportunities, highlighting a reality where merit doesn't always lead to recognition. 🛑 But these barriers don't stop us. More women are challenging these obstacles every day, leading with courage and paving the way for a fairer society. That's why I urge you to challenge the status quo. How? 🌍 Awareness and Action: Recognize and confront gender biases, even those we may have ourselves without realizing. 🤝 Support Networks: Build support networks with other women, leaders, and allies who share your goals and visions for change. 📚 Education and Mentoring: Invest in your professional development through educational programs and mentoring that strengthen your skills and prepare you for leadership roles. Let's continue building a future where female leadership is the norm, not the exception. 🚀 #insurance #entrepreneur #womeninpower #womenininsurance #latinpower #leadership

As I reflect on my 25-year + journey in the Finance Industry, I'm filled with gratitude for the challenges that shaped me and the victories that empowered me. Balancing a demanding career, part-time studies and raising a family wasn't easy but it was the resilience and determination that fueled me. I'm deeply passionate about the growth of women into Senior Executive roles. I've walked in your shoes, faced the hurdles and celebrated the milestones. I understand the sacrifices, the late nights and the juggling that comes with striving for professional success while managing personal commitments. Why am I sharing this? Because I want to be a beacon of hope for women who are navigating similar paths. I want to encourage you to dream big, persevere and never give up on your aspirations. I want you to know you are not alone. Let's create a legacy of empowered women leaders who inspire the next generation to be the best versions of themselves. Let's connect, collaborate and champion each other's success. Together we can make a difference and pave the way for a brighter future. #WomenInFinance #Leadership #Mentorship #Empowerment #CareerGrowth #LegacyBuiling

A good indicator of racial discrimination is to understand the company's job architectural structure and its usage. Observe who are made visible and supported for high impacting projects. There are a whole host of other indicators I can speak from Total Rewards perspective. Sexism blended with racial discrimination with tinted religious devotion.

In celebration of #InternationalWomensDay and #WomensHistoryMonth, A Seat at the Table, Vantage West’s women’s leadership group, is highlighting its own women leaders. Today we have the opportunity to learn from our VP of Consumer Lending & Products, Michelle Goeppner. We asked Michelle to share her experiences and knowledge with us: 1. Women's History Month celebrates the achievements of women. Can you share a particular accomplishment or success story from your career that you are especially proud of? I founded the first employee resource group at my last credit union dedicated towards the development and empowerment of women. I had to convince an all-male executive team that this was necessary and worth implementing and investing in. It was no small feat, but INCLUDE (Inclusive Network Creating Leadership Understanding and Empowerment) was very successful and it sparked a number of other employee resource groups that followed. 2. What advice do you have for aspiring women leaders? Be vocal and be your own advocate. Make your career goals and aspirations known. Sometimes as women, we have a tendency to sit back and think that doing good work is enough and will get us to where we want to go. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Tell your leader and your peers what your aspirations are. Ask if there are projects/committees/initiatives you can be a part of. Are there people you can shadow? Training opportunities? I recommend identifying a career advocate—someone who will represent you and advocate for you in a room of decision makers when you aren’t present. 3. As a leader, how do you encourage and support the professional development of women within your team or in the industry at large? I truly enjoy mentoring women and helping them to achieve their professional goals. As women leaders, it’s important we offer a hand up to other female colleagues who follow us. I strongly reject the notion that one woman’s success impedes another. I don’t believe in competition or a lack mentality. There are enough opportunities for everyone, and we need to recognize that if it can happen for her, it can happen for me! I am committed to creating space for the women of Vantage West who have expressed interest in growing their careers. 4. What quote do you live by? “If you aren’t learning, growing or evolving, you aren’t living.” It’s my own personal motto. Thank you, Michelle, for all you do at Vantage West!

Anne Chow is a great example for young women who want to work in executive leadership. She has fought to break down barriers while being a driver of #innovation in her industry. In this article, she outlines the values and lessons that contributed to her success and explains how sticking to your values can carry you through a long and successful career. #WomenInBusienss #CEO

Where are all the female sales leaders? I've been in the sales industry for years, and it's disheartening to see how few women make it to the top. Despite our progress, women hold only 26% of senior sales roles in the UK (MentorcliQ). This isn't just a statistic—it's a glaring issue that reflects systemic biases and a lack of access to crucial networks and mentors. Mentorship is a game-changer. Did you know that women with mentors are five times more likely to be promoted? Programs like Women in Banking and Finance (WIBF) show how impactful structured mentorship can be. I’ve seen firsthand how mentoring boosts confidence and opens doors. Another example, 87% of women in The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs’ program reported increased confidence in their leadership abilities. To change this, in my opinion, we need to: 🎓 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀: We must create structured initiatives that support women at every stage of their careers. ♂ 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Men in leadership must step up to mentor women and help dismantle biases. 🤝 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: Let’s build communities where women can share experiences and strategies. Things need to change. Who's with me? #SalesLeadership #Mentorship #GenderEquality #WomenInSales #LeadershipDevelopment #DiversityAndInclusion