Executive Leadership for Women

The Mirrored Door – Women Breaking Through!

Join Rice Business Executive Education for the inaugural iteration of Executive Leadership for Women. Keynote speaker is Ellen Taaffe, former Fortune 500 senior leader turned professor, brings to life her compelling book, “The Mirrored Door,” and how to move past it. Hear insights about how to break through the hidden barrier that locks successful women in place and receive a signed copy of "The Mirrored Door." This one-day program allows a convenient, power-packed event, served a la carte, without the need to commit to ongoing sessions or cohorts.

The founding board of directors comprises of Rice Business alumni, staff and community members who have each transcended barriers, developed insights, and gained a following and reputation for their contributions to empowering other women to prepare for successful careers and advancement into executive roles.

This program is for women leaders, allies, and mentees who aspire to actively shape and accelerate women’s careers as they advance into executive roles or refine effective tactics to thrive within the top ranks. Women continue to face underrepresentation and perceived bias when attempting to ascend into the top ranks, and even while occupying roles in the executive sphere. Top business schools agree, women must learn to both navigate the external realities of the current environment and unlock their own inner potential by refining their leadership skills to succeed at the top. This unique challenge compels us to provide a convenient, tailored platform, for women and their allies seeking to explore yet unrecognized opportunities and build excellence.

Upcoming Dates & Tuition

December 10, 2024
8:30 am to 5:00 pm - Reception to follow
Tuition: $1,195

Registration

Meet Your Professor

Ellen Taafe
Kellogg Professor, Board Director, Award-Winning Author of "The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier that Locks Successful Women In Place", TEDx speaker, Former Fortune 50 Executive.

In Ellen’s words, “I encourage you to take in The Mirrored Door with a journal at your side, friends to discuss it with, a lens of curiosity and self-reflection, and compassion for yourself and others. When you can unravel the past and understand how culture has conditioned our beliefs and influences our workplace systems, you have more freedom to choose what you bring with you to your company and your future. It will take some letting go and building up, along with experimentation and practice. You are no stranger to hard work. You can do this. And when you do, you will step into the lead role of your career and life in a new, rewarding way. You will empower yourself every time you greet opportunity and unlock, open, and pass over the threshold of the mirrored door, leaving the door ajar for those who follow.”

Who Should Attend

Women and allies with aspirations and looking to chart their path
Women and allies with at least 7 years of work experience

Program Takeaways

Network and feel the comradery in a exclusive setting, designed for experiencing a community of junior executives and mentees encircled by [our board of] executive women, Rice Business faculty, and allies, who lean in as a sounding board of support.
Create an internal vision for how you can circumvent mirrored doors, glass ceilings, aloneness, and other common challenges women face when rising into leadership seats.
Share tools for self-evaluation, gain inspiration for momentum to set out actionable steps, propelling you toward success.

Message From the Founding Board of Directors

Over the past couple of years, our founding board members have enjoyed contributing as senior advisors to the Jones School of Business, as we cultivated ideas for the program. With enthusiasm, we are proud to have reached the launching point of the ELW, and are dedicated to continue guiding the program. In keeping with our purpose, we are creating opportunities for women executives, senior leaders, and mentees to experience community, to learn about experiences and strategies of other successful women, and to strengthen their resolve toward actionable steps that can propel their career forward. For our inaugural event, we are incredibly proud to have author Ellen Taaffe as our speaker. In preparation for the event, she has become a friend, an ally, and an inspiration to the cause. We are confident the participants will gain valuable insights and enjoy the program immensely. We look forward to your support of future additional events and to engaging, informing, and inspiring women during the journey forward together!