2007 Outstanding Women in Business Awards

Friday, December 28, 2007

Welcome to the second annual Outstanding Women in Business special section, saluting the winners of the 2007 Outstanding Women in Business Awards. Presented by New Hampshire Business Review and Laconia Savings Bank, the awards celebrate the success and achievements of women in our state's business community.

Each year we recognize six women who have truly excelled, not only in their professional lives, but as leaders and role models. While they come from different industries and walks of life, they share several things in common - extraordinary accomplishments, a strong sense of self and a belief that anything is possible. Their commitment and vision make them true leaders in their chosen fields.

(All photos by John Hession)

Alice DeSouza -- New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development

When you hear the words "New Hampshire," what do you think of? Is it the ski country in the White Mountains? The quaint villages in the Monadnock region? The Seacoast? The bustling urban centers? As director of the state's Division of Travel and Tourism Development, Alice DeSouza hopes you think of all those things and more.

But to convey this very big message to the rest of the world is not easy. So she put her experience as an executive vice president at the Bank of New Hampshire as well as her marketing skills to work when she became the state's tourism director in September 2004. Under her guidance, direct spending by visitors increased by 1.9 percent in 2005 and ROI figures increased by 20 cents in 2005, reaching $8.51 returned to the state for every dollar spent by the division for marketing and promotion.

DeSouza has always been active in the community. Among her accomplishments has been helping to create the First Night-Concord celebration and the Art Builds Community! cultural resource center in Manchester as well as successfully tell the story of the Manchester Millyard's revitalization, earning it a 2006 National Preservation Honor Award.

Q. What made you decide to go into this type of work?

A. When there was an opening in the division, I offered my services because I thought I could make a difference. I had a great career in banking as well as a strong background in travel and tourism and marketing. I thought this would be a nice way to give back to a state that has given my so much.

Q. What did you find to be the biggest challenge as a woman on the road to achieving your success?

A. When I came to New Hampshire in 1981, you could count the number of women executives on one hand. I'm pleased to see that since the glass ceiling has been broken just how many women have gone through it.

Q. Have you found a difference in how women are accepted as successful in their chosen careers as compared to their male counterparts?

A. Men were more readily accepted than women. I think qualified women had to be extremely so, and no so for a man. Over time, that change had been gradual, but now it's taken a giant step forward. In all fairness, many women tried to do it all, having a perfect career and being the perfect homemaker. Men were not typically faced with the same challenge.

Q. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?

A. Being an individual contributor is not as important to me now as helping others to achieve. Maybe I learned this as I got older, but I get more enjoyment out of mentoring and helping someone to become successful, male or female. I also learned that change for the sake of change is not always the best way to go. But not being afraid to change is what keeps me excited. We've all had the shoulda-woulda-couldas. It's more important to learn from your mistakes and move forward.

Q. Who has been most instrumental in your success and why?

A. My father came here from Portugal when he was 16 and had no money. He and my mother helped my understanding of what values mean and to live by the Golden Rule. My father always said that he came here to be American and bring me up as American, but never losing those traditions that were important to our heritage.

I've also learned from every employer I've had, whether corporate or clients. Whether they were good or bad lessons, I applied them to move forwards. The day I stop learning is the day I'm no use to myself or anyone else.

Q. What advice would you give to young women just starting their careers?

A. You're not expected to know it all; you are expected to know how to find the answers. Work collaboratively. And learn to take the blame and give the credit when either is due. -- Cindy Kibbe

Eliza Leadbeater -- Belknap County Economic Development Council

To say that Eliza Leadbeater embodies the heart and soul of the Lakes Region might sound like a grandiose statement, but when one gets to know and understand just what she has done for the 11 communities in the area, the description becomes much more apt.

Through the innovative partnerships she has created, inspired and spearheaded as executive director of the Belknap County Economic Development Council - creating programs focusing on relocation assistance, a revolving loan fund, a business information center, even providing the very offices in which the BCEDC is located, for instance - she became one of the key reasons that the region's economy has bounced back from the recession of the early '90s.

Working both on behalf of the BCEDC and as a volunteer, she has devoted her time to such projects as the renovation of a homeless shelter, housing for single-parent families and the conversion of a mill complex into affordable housing and mixed-used commercial enterprises.

While much of what Leadbeater does involves building businesses and jobs, she also is a well-known expert in a completely different field. She is the author of four books on handspinning, including "Handspinning" and "Spinning and Spinning Wheels," both still available at Amazon.com.

But it's probably fair to say that her contributions to handspinning pale in comparison to her work in the Lakes Region, where she also devotes her time to projects that add the vitality and quality of life in the area. From the renovation of a homeless shelter to the conversion of a mill complex into affordable housing and mixed-used commercial enterprises and - her most recent project - development of the Granite Media Center in Tilton, a soundstage and offices for those working in the film and creative industries, the hand of Eliza Leadbeater can be seen throughout Belknap County and the state as a whole.

Q. What made you decide to go into this type of work?

A. I never set out to build a career. I was earning a living and supporting my family, which had value unto itself.

I wanted to work with youth. I spent 15 years in England, going to school there, owning several businesses, and teaching in the slums of Liverpool. I came back to the U.S. in the 1980s, and a lot had changed. I started another business, but wasn't happy. I eventually took a job in economic development in Vermont. But it was almost by accident that I took the position in New Hampshire I have now.

A friend living in Vermont asked me to pick up a copy of the Union Leader. I happened to scan the help wanted section myself and found the Belknap position. I applied and ended up interviewing with seven people, and was then offered the position.

Q. What did you find to be the biggest challenge as a woman on the road to achieving your success?

A. Borrowing money, for a business or a home. When I went to borrow for a house, the criteria seemed stiffer, even more so when I became single parent. I was here at Belknap for less than a year, and I wanted to start a women's bank. I spoke to many women, but they almost had fear of rocking the establishment, so it never got off the ground.

Q. Have you found a difference in how women are accepted as successful in their chosen careers as compared to their male counterparts?

A. It's not something I dwell on. There's always been a difference. Pay is different. Women are evaluated differently. There's a difference in the way women are criticized. There's a difference in the way women are accepted.

Q. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?

A. My first business was in my own name - I'll never do that again. It becomes part of your identity. When it became time to sell, they wanted me to stay on with the business. If I was trying to move on, why would I want to stay?

Q. Who has been most instrumental in your success and why?

A. My daughter Sarah keeps me going. But I have to say, in my case, it's environments more than a specific person. You have to be the most instrumental person to yourself.

Q. What advice would you give to young women just starting their careers?

A. Believe in yourself. Be creative, be passionate, but most of all, be compassionate. -- Cindy Kibbe

Linda Lovering -- Lovering Auto Dealerships

It's been 11 years since Nashua resident Linda Lovering and her husband Rich opened their first car dealership, Lovering Volvo-Isuzu of Concord. Today the couple owns two more - Lovering Volvo at Nashua and Lovering Volvo of Meredith - and are recognized as the largest Volvo dealership in New England.

Vice president of the Concord facility and president of the dealerships in Nashua and Meredith, Linda Lovering is an anomaly in a male-dominated industry. But her business savvy, interpersonal skills and commitment to providing quality service has earned the New Hampshire native a level of respect from peers, employees and customers alike. And a growing number of "President's Awards" and "Dealer of Excellence Awards" given by Volvo of North America only add to Lovering's credibility.

Throughout the years, Lovering has served in a number of capacities for the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association and Volvo Cars of North America. Among her roles, she has been an adviser to the National Automobile Dealers Association on the role of women in the automobile business.

A mother of four, Lovering is equally active outside the automotive business, serving on the boards of the Nashua Pastoral Care Center, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Nashua, the Better Business Bureau and the Partnership for a Drug Free New Hampshire.

And together with her husband, Lovering has established The Lovering Family Foundation, whose mission it is to combat the frequency and severity of teen driving accidents.

Q. What made you decide to go into the work you're doing?

A. I was raised in the car industry. I actually went into high tech and didn't get back into the car industry until we bought our Concord dealership. By that time I had been out of it for 14 years and had a lot to learn - everything had become computerized. It's funny, but my kids were really a big help with this.

Q. What did you find to be the biggest challenge as a woman on the road to achieving your success?

A. You don't have many women contemporaries to network with. It was usually all men. And in the beginning it was intimidating going to regional meetings where I was the only woman. But I think things have changed, gosh, today the president of Volvo North America is a woman.

Q. Have you found a difference in how women are accepted as successful in their chosen career as compared to their male counterparts?

A. I think all successful people share a lot of common things - work ethic, working hard, just treating people well. Making the right decisions and knowing in your heart it's the right thing - that's what makes people successful.

Q. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?

A. I just think the biggest thing I've learned is when dealing with people don't be too quick to make a decision - it's important to sit back and really listen to both sides of the story. Judging people - that's a huge mistake.

Q. Who has been most instrumental in your success and why?

A. I think my husband. He's like a rock. He's extremely supportive. I could never have done anything without him. We're just a great team. Everybody needs a partner who will be there for them. That will make you successful. He's my best friend we get a long together so well. He's just a nice person.

Q. What advice would you give young women just starting their careers?

A. I would say follow your dreams. I'm always telling my daughters don't let anything stop you. If something seems too hard just keep working at it. Keep persevering. I've always tried to surround myself with people that know more about topics than I do - you'll learn from them. I'm never afraid to say I don't know something. You learn so much more by asking. Don't be afraid to make mistakes - the more mistakes you make the more you learn. -- Tracie Stone

Lindsay Shearer -- Cigna HealthCare of New Hampshire

Lindsay Shearer's name is almost synonymous with Cigna HealthCare of New Hampshire. And well it should be.

As director of public relations for 13 years at Cigna, and, before that, Healthsource, she helped the company become one of the largest health-care providers in the state.

With just one project alone, Shearer developed a national media campaign that resulted in over 40 million impressions in one month and increased media coverage by more than 1,600 percent in New England in one year.

But equally notable is Shearer's service to the state as a founding member of New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility.

There are few organizations that can so successfully promote both business and everyday workers, especially women. Under Shearer's hand, NHBSR has done just that. Embodying the concept of "doing well by doing good," the NHBSR recognizes and supports businesses that provide such benefits as family time-off, flex-time policies, adoption benefits, on-site child care and community service time-off.

After 17 years, she has stepped down from the board of directors, but still plays an active role in the organization.

Shearer also has championed many other organizations of particular importance to women and families, such as the Women's Business Center, and she served on Gov. Jeanne Shaheen's Commission on Child Care and Early Learning.

When New Hampshire leads the charge for health - whether concerning its businesses or its citizens - look to Shearer to be holding the flag.

Q. What made you decide to go into this type of work?

A. There is a great misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge about health care. Health plans have been at the forefront of improving quality and making health care accessible. Health-care public relations has an important role to play helping others to understand the health-care system better and to communicate improvement better.

Q. What did you find to be the biggest challenge as a woman on the road to achieving your success?

A. I was raised believing that if you want me at the table, you want my opinion. It was hard for me to learn that this approach wouldn't always work. On the other hand, I've found that being a woman can be an asset in that a good job gets noticed perhaps more frequently than that of a man's.

Q. Have you found a difference in how women are accepted as successful in their chosen careers as compared to their male counterparts?

A. I'm very lucky in that I work for a company that is gender-blind. Women hold executive positions all through the company to the board. I think, however, women still have some glass ceilings, but have also made dramatic strides in the last 10 or 15 years. I think that any business that doesn't promote its talent won't make it.

Q. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?

A. I like to use Abraham Lincoln as an example: Several of his businesses failed, and he failed to get elected to office several times before becoming president of the United States. You can't be successful in life or in business without failing. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes, move on and grow.

Q. Who has been most instrumental in your success and why?

A. Early on, it was my mother and father. They let me know I could do anything or be anything. I worked with Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general, on his senatorial campaign. He showed me that no matter how difficult it is, be true to yourself. Peter McCormick, former chairman of the Bank of New Hampshire, showed me while I worked there how to take care of people along the way.

Q. What advice would you give to young women just starting their careers?

A. Assume you can do it. If you start out feeling defeated, you already are. Get the skills and the training necessary for what it is you want to do and go for it - and have fun. -- Cindy Kibbe

Maureen Baldwin -- Russound

It's hard to believe Russound, a company specializing in the design and manufacturing of in-home audio-video systems, was once a floundering two-person operation struggling to earn $100,000 in annual sales. But that was the case 22 years ago, when Maureen Baldwin purchased the business from her employer to allow him to focus his attention on the metal fabricating company Baldwin had worked at for 15 years.

Undeterred by her new role in a male-dominated industry, Baldwin began to turn things around for the tiny Newmarket company, treating her customers, employees and even competition the way she would want to be treated.

Today, as so many electronics companies fall victim to mass acquisitions, Russound is flourishing. Now one of only two privately held companies in its industry, Russound reports annual sales of more than $50 million and is known worldwide as the No. 1 brand in multi-room audio.

Still a hands-on leader, Baldwin remains actively involved in product development, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Russound products.

And while the industry remains male-dominated, Baldwin remains committed to staffing her company with qualified individuals regardless of their sex. Today 25 percent of Russound managers are female, and women hold 60 percent of the company's executive positions.

Like her products, Baldwin's philanthropic efforts stretch near and far. Local organizations including the United Way of Seacoast New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Newmarket Police and Fire Departments are among the long list of organizations Baldwin has supported.

Even closer to home: When a former company employee with no family passed away unexpectedly, Baldwin hosted a wake and funeral and shut the company down for the day allowing fellow employees to attend the services.

The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and Doctors without Borders are among the national causes embraced by Baldwin.

Q. What made you decide to go into the work you're doing?

A. I fell in love with the manufacturing. That was really it. And in a small New England company you know the owners by their first name, and you can really become part of the company. I love seeing the accomplishment and the achievement - I got that from my dad. I was always an unconventional kid, and growing up I worked with my father building a boat and then our summerhouse. I still relay that to my business.

Q. What did you find to be the biggest challenge as a woman on the road to achieving our success?

A. In the beginning it was difficult. Me, my company and my dreams - it was all a little laughable in this men's business. But it's different now because we've become successful.

Q. Have you found a difference in how women are accepted as successful in their chosen career as compared to their male counterparts?

A. I do think women have to work a lot harder, but I also think we are coming into a world where men and women are getting to use the same yardstick to measure success. We've developed a great culture at Russound with collaboration and democracy that really works in our company.

Q. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?

A. Going against my gut feelings early on when I wasn't as confident and was maybe swayed in one direction when I knew it was not the way to go. I've learned to follow my gut, but collaboratively. I feel like when we make mistakes here we get up the next day and reinvent ourselves.

Q. Who has been most instrumental in your success and why?

A. It goes without saying, first my parents. But in business that would be my vice president, Joe Brouillet, and Linda Mariotti, our CFO. We balance each other very nicely - we all have our own strengths and weaknesses.

Q. What advice would you give young women just starting their careers?

A. To be genuine and to be yourself. Be true to yourself and don't be afraid to take risks when it comes to hiring, building your infrastructure, expansion - all of it. -- Tracie Stone

Wendy Lull -- Seacoast Science Center

Wendy Lull knew she wanted to be a marine biologist from the time she was a little girl. It wasn't until she was midway through her doctoral program that she realized she actually wanted to oversee a marine facility and decided to change direction.

The new direction took Lull from owning a marketing and graphic design firm straight to the helm of the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, where she has been since the facility's inception in 1992. Under her direction, the center's operating budget has surpassed the $1 million mark and the year-round staff has grown to accommodate 60,000 annual visitors.

From her introduction to the center, Lull has played an active role in increasing the public's awareness of ocean science. And her involvement with organizations like the New England Ocean Sciences Education Collaborative, the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Shoals Marine Laboratory and the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium - along with recognitions that include the Odyssey Award from Oakland University and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Somersworth - testify her dedication in promoting an industry she loves and one that plays a critical role in the health of the planet.

Q. What made you decide to go into the work you're doing?

A. In graduate school I realized I didn't necessarily want to be a scientist, so I left the Ph.D. program and returned to the business world. One day I opened The Boston Globe and saw the ad for this position. The tools my business background gave me and my education in marine science fit together well for this job. I ended up just where I wanted to be.

Q. What did you find to be the biggest challenge as a woman on the road to achieving our success?

A. There are really only two instances where my gender was an issue. Once when I was 18 I wanted to go out on research vessel. I got all the "OKs" I needed, but was told "no bikinis on the boat!" Then, when I asked for final approval, I was told I couldn't go because there was no ladies room. I said if there was only one head only one person at a time would be using it so there shouldn't be a problem. Ultimately I did get to go. The funny thing is I was the only one who didn't get seasick.

The other time was when I applied for a line of credit for my new business and was told by the loan officer that my husband would have to sign. I refused to get his signature and got the loan anyway.

Q. Have you found a difference in how women are accepted as successful in their chosen career as compared to their male counterparts?

A. I operate in an isolated environment here, so it's hard to say. My dream is it's no longer novel to see women running anything. I think the definition of a successful businessperson will shift, or women will write their own definition of success. I like to think that this will give everyone a more balanced perception.

Q. What was your biggest mistake and what did you learn from it?

A. Someone once suggested to me that you are not always leading when you're out in front. Sometimes if you let others speak first it opens opportunities for you to be responsive as opposed to reactive.

Also, I found that you could learn from other peoples' insights, like sitting in meetings where you try hard not to raise your hand. I've found if you allow a little silence you'll get more from others.

Q. Who has been most instrumental in your success and why?

A. My husband has gone through this whole evolution of the science center with me. He's the one who has to listen and listen and know when to chime in. Having that kind of sounding board and support system has been great.

Another person, Paul Avery, was founding chair of the Seacoast Science Center. He taught me you don't always have to do everything yourself. I'll never forget how he told me, "Now I want you to go out there and I want you to make some mistakes."

Q. What advice would you give young women just starting their careers?

A. I guess I would tell them if somebody tries to prevent you from doing something just because you're a woman, do it anyway. -- Tracie Stone

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