We are continually inspired by our members, their accomplishments, and the lessons they have learned. Let us know if you wish to be highlighted. Check back monthly for new conversations.

A Conversation with Dana H. Born, Ph.D., Brigadier General, USAF Retired
Co-Director, Center for Public Leadership, Chair, Senior Executive Fellows (SEF) Program, Lecturer in Public Policy

Dana Born, the Immediate Past President of the Massachusetts Women’s Forum is a leader of leaders. Holding a Doctor of Philosophy degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Pennsylvania State University, Born has a long history of social science education. Combined with nearly 30 years of military service, Born is an effective leader and has applied this knowledge to a multitude of positions throughout her career. At the beginning of her journey, Dana became the first woman to hold the presidentially appointed position of Dean of Faculty at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Currently, Dana works at the Harvard Kennedy School where she holds the position of co-director for the Center for Public Leadership. At Harvard, Dana has built a legacy as an educator, teaching leadership to students and fellows from all around the world. Dana’s background as a leader and her incredible knowledge of female professional development made her the perfect president of the Massachusetts Women’s Forum in 2017 and 2018. 

     We recently had an opportunity to speak with her and reflect on her career. 

Q: Looking back through your career accolades, what has been your proudest moment thus far?

DANA: “Professionally, having had the extraordinary privilege of leading and serving alongside this country’s best, brightest and bravest men and women in service to our nation for thirty years. Personally, the raising of two beautiful daughters also dedicated to serving in the military and having a close-knit family grounded by love, faith, and friendships.” 

Q: Throughout your life, and your career, what has been the most effective piece of advice you’ve received? 

DANA: “In the long run, you will be judged only by your character…as without that, it doesn’t matter how high up the corporate ladder you’ve climbed, how much money you’ve earned, or how many awards you’ve received. You will be remembered not by WHAT you accomplish in life…but by HOW you accomplish it.” 

Q: Work like yours is not for the faint of heart. What has been your driver all of these years — what has kept you going?

DANA: “As Winston Churchill once said, ‘You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give.’ My drive over the years has been inspired by those I have had the privilege of serving for – dedicating themselves to making a life instead of a living.”

Q: How has this mission-driven you to the Massachusetts Women’s Forum?

DANA: “I have been the beneficiary of, and am now a huge proponent of the sacred obligation each of us has to pay it forward to the next generation and/or those less fortunate than ourselves. The MWF provides an ideal community enabling us to do just this. We are women of power and influence. We support and co-mentor women leaders, champion future trailblazers, and advance a better world. We are a community of dauntless women who share intimate connections, conversations of substance, and contributions to a better world.”

At nearly every point in her career, Dana Born has worked selflessly to protect, serve and better those around her. Whether they are her students, friends or colleagues, a woman who knows Dana Born is an empowered woman. It is our privilege to call her a member and a part of our community at MWF. 

Massachusetts Women’s Forum
Madison Shaw, Communications Associate
May 2019

We are continually inspired by our members, their accomplishments, and the lessons they have learned. Let us know if you wish to be highlighted. Check back monthly for new conversations.

A Conversation with Jackie Jenkins-Scott, Founder & President, JJS Advising

MWF President, Jackie Jenkins-Scott is a nationally renowned leader with decades of experience in executive roles in the world of public health and higher education. Growing up in a religious African American household Jackie learned early the importance of giving back and the importance of education. These are themes that have remained integral to Jackie’s character in all of her endeavors. Jackie’s career in public health began after her graduation with a masters degree from Boston University when she worked at the Boston Department of Public Health. She would then become CEO of Dimock Community Health Center before transitioning into education as the president of Wheelock College until 2016. Jackie’s most recent career transition has brought her to the Forum, where she is now the president and as dedicated as ever to her mission of empowerment. 

Recently, we had the opportunity to sit down with Jackie and ask her some questions. 

Q: You’ve had a remarkable career.  What do you point to as your proudest achievement amidst it all? 

JACKIE: “Having had a positive impact on the careers of people I have mentored and guided – I like to believe that this has long-term impact and effect. I am proud to have touched the lives of so many people, particularly women, in their early career. This is more important to me than any specific, tangible success.”

Q: To be a great leader you must have great examples, what is the most effective advice you received throughout your career?

JACKIE: One of the most effective pieces of advice I’ve received came from a lecture professor in grad school who came to Boston to be the first African American commissioner of corrections. He gave us advice to “keep our bags packed.” That really stuck with me, he was saying that if you’re in a position to compromise your beliefs and core values you should have your bags packed, you may have to move on. He ended up leaving Massachusetts for that reason; he wanted systemic changes and that wasn’t an option. I try to share this with the people I am coaching or working with, both professionally and personally: Our beliefs and our values are really important to implementing organizational mission. When we sacrifice our mission and our beliefs and our values, we risk our ability as an organization and as a leader to be most effective.” 

Q: If you could go back, and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give her?

JACKIE: “I would say build in more time for myself. Because you give so much and over time you need to find time to breathe. More time for your own reflection, refreshment, and replenishment.”

Q: I know that giving back to the women who follow is a big part of your life’s work. How do you plan to continue supporting women through the Forum?

JACKIE: “Aretha Franklin recently passed, and she was famous for one word: respect. We have to hold ourselves to the highest standards of respect for ourselves and when we do so we can demand that from others. I am set on creating a climate of respect both for ourselves and those around us. I am incredibly proud of the foundation and legacy we inherited at the Forum and I look forward to what we will build on in our next phase of growth and development. I would describe my role as being a bridge between the hopes and dreams that came before our current membership, those of our future members. So the next generation of women can carry this organization forward. Their challenges will be different than ours and those of our founders, but I am hoping to keep this bridge intact. It is a big responsibility, but I want to see our community thrive.”

Throughout her career, Jenkins-Scott has worked to empower young professionals to be uncompromising in their ambition, be it through executive positions or volunteer efforts. At a time when women have more opportunities to find and secure their paths, Jackie is ready to cultivate an environment where Forum members are emboldened to do just that. 

Massachusetts Women’s Forum
Madison Shaw, Communications Associate
May 2019

Members celebrate with State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s at her annual summer reception.

Member, Sandra Fenwick the President & CEO of Boston Children’s Hospital received the “Woman of the Year” award by WE CAN — Women Empowerment through Cape Area Networking.

WE CAN empowers Cape Cod women of all ages who are experiencing challenging life situations by providing services that bring increased opportunity, self-sufficiency, stability, and lasting positive change for themselves, their families, and their entire community. WE CAN is the leading resource to facilitate that transformation. With an integrated, engaged community of other organizations and local businesses, WE CAN creates hope, identifies possibilities and supports aspirations.

Read new member Katie Bouton’s interview with DotCom Magazine where she discusses her own leadership and innovation, and where it’s taken her.

https://dotcommagazine.com/2019/03/katie-bouton-ceo-of-koya-leadership-partners-a-dotcom-magazine-exclusive-interview/

Congratulations to Carol Fulp, for all of the work she has done as CEO of the leading organization dedicated to supporting professionals of color, and the amazing work she will continue to do.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/03/21/ceo-stepping-down-the-partnership-boston-group-that-helps-professionals-color/ECu5H8L9JUWx8La2EmSEWJ/story.html

On May 15th the Women’s Network of the Boston Chamber of Commerce will be honoring our distinguished members, Deborah C. Jackson, and Sandra L. Fenwick, in a night celebrating Boston’s leading women in business.

https://www.bostonchamber.com/events-programs/events-calendar/2019-annual-meeting?utm_source=GBCC+Master+List&utm_campaign=183e1b6bc4-am-19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e7dd6fd55c-183e1b6bc4-90821717

As we prepare for Women Opening Doors for Women on May 7th, MWF member, Wendy Foster shares her insight on mentoring.

https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2019/02/21/wendy-foster-on-mentoring-its-a-two-way.html