Team Infinitive Blog

March 8^th, was International Women’s Day! Women all around the world celebrated amazing acts of bravery and fights for freedom, justice and equality. To celebrate this special day, the women of Infinitive hosted a networking lunch and charity event.

Infinitive exec Dianne Deroze participated in the event, along with many of Infinitives’s other fantastic females. “It’s great that Infinitive makes it easy to get involved – even the men helped contribute to our Dress for Success charity event,” Dianne remarked. “I really enjoyed that we came up with some great networking, charitable and just-for-fun events for us to do as a group throughout 2012.  We have an excellent group of talented women at Infinitive!”

A large part of our event was a clothing drive for Dress for Success  to help promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women in the workplace.  A woman’s first step for a successful interview is making a strong and powerful first impression and we asked all of our employees to play a part in helping a woman land that job and start a new career by donating a suit or other business-appropriate clothing. Infinitive Principal Jackie Hartnett noted, “It’s really great Infinitive makes it easy to get involved – even the men helped contribute to our Dress for Success charity event.”

The official name of our women’s group was also announced during lunch: Infinitive Women on their Way (iWOW).  Hartnett commented, “I like the “women on their way” part of the new name, it’s so inspiring!” The entire group agreed and is looking forward to many more gatherings and events throughout the year.

The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help our clients find jobs and remain employed. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work.

Earlier this month, BisNow hosted Where Do Women Stand XI – The Future of Media in Washington, DC.  The event piqued my interest as it was sponsored by the Women’s Leadership Development Initiative at Arent Fox. Infinitive has also recently started a women’s networking group and we are excited about opportunities to network with other women leaders.

I came back to our office inspired by what I heard from the very accomplished women, including moderator Barbara Wahl, Partner, Arent Fox and the speakers: Linda Douglas, VP Strategic Communications, Atlantic Media Company; Ann Compton, White House Correspondent, ABC News; Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel.

Here are a few tidbits from the event and thoughts these women shared on how they got to where they are in their career, how they balance work and family, and how they made it in a “man’s world.”

Regarding women in leadership roles, they shared the following: It is a more level playing field, look around you and you see women leaders where there were no women before — in journalism, government, management, media, sports, war zones.  In government, people are no longer questioning if women are smart and capable enough like they once did.  Regardless of their politics, Rice, Clinton, Pelosi and Bachman have paved the way for many future politicians and leaders, who just happen to be female.

In taking on or going after leadership roles, they advised:  “It’s scary but you do it.  You practice, you prepare and you confront your fear.”  In addition they talked about how it is helpful to find someone to provide a role model.  Find someone who is doing what you want to be doing and model your behavior on theirs, including the way they dress and conduct themselves.

On leadership qualities: women are natural problem solvers, they are good at collaborating and can be good listeners — but you have to make sure you get credit for your efforts; we are not as good at that as we should be.

On having a successful career and achieving levels of leadership: Make sure you are passionate enough about what you do to warrant spending 80% of your day doing it, because that is what it will take.

And a few other tips…

• Seek help from mentors and other higher ranking people.
• Don’t step on minefields – be mindful that women are still often held to a higher standard
• Use common sense
• Challenge things that are not right
• Always find the best in others – it eases the way for future interactions.
• Ask for help
• Don’t be afraid to speak up, especially when taking on a new challenge
• Don’t be afraid to show that you are human – especially in a leadership role.

These women are role models who have blazed the trail for the rest of us – and for that we owe them a debt of gratitude. It clearly wasn’t easy for any of them, but it sounds as if they worked hard and found that they were having fun along the way because they were doing what they love.

Infinitivians love to give back; it’s part of our culture and it’s contagious amongst our team. Often the organizations and events we get involved in are inspired by a personal connection.

We have always known Ryan Cox is not averse to working hard or sweating. Talk about “Everybody’s All American,” Ryan is an accomplished soccer player having played for various elite travel teams in NOVA growing up and for the United States Naval Academy. He also played professionally while stationed in San Diego. And he’s no stranger to giving back to the youth soccer community either, having been the head coach of Fairfax County’s Robinson High School’s Varsity Boys team, DC United Super Y-League U19/20 Boys Assistant Coach, BRYC Falcons U9/10 Boys Head Coach, and McLean Youth Soccer U.S. Soccer Development Academy U15/16 & U17/18 Boys Assistant Coach. As the Robinson High School Varsity coach, he was awarded the 2007 Northern Region Coach of the Year, 2007 Concorde District Coach of the Year, and 2006 Concorde District Coach of the Year.

Ryan Cox sweats for Vets.

A 1997 United States Naval Academy graduate, Ryan proudly served as a Surface Warfare Officer. He even had a cool exchange tour with the Brazilian Navy. (Ask him about the experience and he’ll tell you all about it – in Portuguese). In addition to his role as Infinitive Federal’s Director of Operations, Ryan also serves as the Small Business Committee Chair for the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association, Northern Virginia Chapter (AFCEA NOVA) and as President of the NOVA Young AFCEANs. (See Ryan’s full bio.)

So, I think Ryan’s service to our country pretty much earned him the right to bask in our appreciation over Veteran’s Day weekend. So what would compel this oh-so-busy guy to skip the opportunity to snuggle and play with his precious newborn and toddler and head out to the 2nd Annual Sweat for a Vet fundraising event? It’s simple. He believes in giving back. He says, “It’s important to donate money when you can.” And, he does that, too. But he gets more out of volunteer activities when he is a part of a team and actually does something. How’s that for leadership? I mean, it makes me want to follow his lead and do some giving back of my own this holiday season. How about you?

So, on November 12^th, seven members of AFCEA NOVA participated in the 2nd Annual Sweat for a Vet fundraising event to benefit our wounded veterans. This three-hour fitness event, during which participants indoor cycle, row or hand cycle along with high-energy instructors and a live band, gave Ryan just the opportunity he was looking for to do something. And do something he and his fellow AFCEANS did – raising nearly $6,000!

“I really can’t describe in words what an incredible day it was,” shared Ryan. “It was truly a humbling and exhausting day, but to me well worth the miniscule three hours of sweat and pain I put in to help benefit our wounded warriors who truly deserve it and have given so much for me, to us and our country.”

Sweat for a Vet is hosted by Project VisAbility, a non-profit organization that promotes fitness for disabled veterans, athletes, and others with physical challenges, and took place at the Tysons Sport & Health fitness center in McLean, VA. Money raised for Sweat for a Vet will be used to provide fitness equipment for Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and other facilities supporting our Wounded Warriors’ rehabilitation.

So, on behalf of your fellow Infinitivians and your fellow Americans, thanks Ryan for your service and for giving back. I know the Wounded Warriors would agree.