Here To WIN: A Conversation with the Women’s Initiative Network
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March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history. At Sunward, women play a powerful role in our organization —from the strong leadership of our President & CEO Steph Sherrodd to women driving meaningful impact in every department and branch.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we reached out to members of the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) here at Sunward to get their perspectives on work, life, who inspires them, and much more.
Here’s what they had to say:
What unique qualities do you believe women bring to the workplace?
“At Sunward…women’s voices are just as loud as the men’s. This is the first organization I have worked at that has so many women in leadership roles. I love it!”
- Marissa Montoya, Human Resources
“Emotional intelligence. Studies have shown…individuals with high emotional intelligence tend to be more effective leaders and have improved relationships with colleagues, often leading to higher job satisfaction and productivity.”
- Annisah Gianardi, Marketing
“I think women are extremely gifted in cultivating community, which is such an essential part of what makes any workplace thrive.”
- Jordynn Bachman, Marketing
“Leadership.”
- Crystal Carrasco, Mortgage
What advice would you give women starting out in their careers?
“The sky is the limit. You can be the CEO.”
– Ronette Smith, Business Lending
“Don’t get stagnant in your position. Challenge yourself to learn more but be cautious not to take on too much.”
- Elizabeth Arzola, Retail
“Don’t worry about knowing everything perfectly right away. Your career is a lifelong journey! Take your time figuring things out, and don’t be afraid to be bold.”
- Isabella Chinn, Loan Services
“Own your accomplishments and know your worth. There’s a statistic that if men see a job posting and meet 2/10 qualifications, they apply. But women see the same posting missing one qualification and they don’t apply. So apply! Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We all grow and learn together. We’re strongest when we aren’t doing things alone.”
- Lauren Hyman, Accounting
“As a gay man, I've always viewed my journey in parallel with the struggles of women in the workplace. A powerful book title is "Think Like a Man, Act Like a Lady". This spoke to me, because while I've felt torn between being "a man" and acting with qualities some might call "feminine", I've always thought I deserve to be at the table as much as anyone else. Go through life with respect but speak up and be heard. Bring yourself to the table because you deserve to be there just as much as anyone else!”
- Adrian Franco, Business Services
“There is often a lot of pressure to exude traits that may not align with who you are and what you stand for, and that's okay. Always be yourself and stay true to your beliefs.”
- Katja Fitz, Business Services
Name a woman who inspires you and tell us why:
“Brené Brown’s work inspires me because she challenges traditional views of leadership, emphasizing vulnerability, courage, and empathy as key components of effective leadership. Her approach resonates deeply because it focuses on the human side of leadership. Helping leaders create environments where people are safe, seen, and valued.”
-Annisah Gianardi, Marketing
“Rosa Parks for her bravery in the Civil Rights movement.”
- Crystal Carrasco, Mortgage
“Maria Tallchief. She was the first Native woman to become a prima ballerina. When I was younger, I always wanted to be a dancer, and she was part of that inspiration.”
- Marisa Montoya, Human Resources
“My grandmother Altana is 100 years old, and she never fails to remind me to keep a smile on my face and continue moving forward.”
- Krista Gray, Communications
“All the women in my everyday life inspire me truly. I am blessed to work with women of different backgrounds and cultures every day.”
- Hyler Bowman, Retail
“Jane Goodall for her conservation and animal welfare work. She once said, ‘You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.’”
- Debbie Young, Technology
How can employers do more to support women in the workplace?
“Creating groups like WIN [Women’s Initiative Network]. Providing assistance and support for employees juggling multiple things (work, family, military, hobbies, self-care). Also, providing multiple resources or options for self-care.”
- Jennifer Bleeker, Human Resources
“I feel fortunate that Sunward already offers many supportive measures for women in the workplace, such as equal opportunities for advancement, flexible work arrangements, mentorship programs, pay equity initiatives, and generous parental leave policies.”
- Noel Valencia, Business Services
“I feel this dynamic has shifted and there are more seats at the table. I do feel it is the person’s responsibility to not be left in the shadows but be the light that shines.”
- Holly Weaver, Remote Service Delivery
“Create awareness of and strategies to address issues that are more likely to impact women, like mentoring and advocacy, negotiation, childcare, non-promotable tasks, etc.”
- Ann Baur, Retail
“Build a culture where women’s voices are heard, respected, and valued at all levels. Address biases in hiring, promotions, and daily interactions.”
- Tanya Chavez, Technology
