GC4W Introduces Its First Cohort of Thought Leaders
The Global Connections for Women Foundations would like to introduce GC4W Thought Leaders, a group of women leaders across various industries whom our community can look to for personal and professional advice. GC4W seeks to uplift the voices of our leaders and connect them with our community as resources and role models. Readers can expect new and original content by our Thought Leaders starting this November, including career advice, motherhood news and wellness tips.
The term “thought leadership” was coined decades ago by Joel Kurtzman, former Editor-of-Chief of Strategy and Business magazine and Harvard Business Review, and was defined as one who “possesses a distinctively original idea, a unique point of view, or an unprecedented insight into their industry.” With the expertise and experience of our leaders, readers can expect inspiring and informative news and advice regularly. Each leader holds a unique space in her industry and has an admirable mission, both of which have given her insights into how those in our community can become thought leaders of their own.
From the beginning, GC4W has believed in women and girls and their right to create new opportunities for themselves and their communities. As a hub and network for women providing professional development, leadership advancement, and community network, we are excited to welcome our first cohort of GC4W Thought Leaders and see the opportunities they bring to our community:
Dr. Beth Kaplan Kondonijakos, Ed.D. is a researcher and storyteller with expertise in belonging in the workplace, workplace trauma, and leadership development. Beth is currently conducting research and supporting the development of these areas as they inform the future of work. She is a big picture thinker and creative storyteller who drives results with integrity, builds meaningful relationships, and inspires teams to reach new heights. She has 15 years of experience in learning and leadership strategy and is proven at improving retention and transforming company culture.
Beth is currently the global head of leader development and enablement at Medidata. Prior to this, she ran sales onboarding and started leader development at Salesforce and is credited as a thought leader in both spaces. Beth holds an MSE.d and ED.D in Learning and Leadership Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania. Beth lives in Pennsylvania with her husband Steve and their two boys.
Zoë Randolph worked in marketing for nonprofits and startups before becoming a full-time freelance writer and editor. She covers history, culture, travel, and career from her adopted home of Montréal, Quebec, where she pretends to understand French and enjoy winter. You can keep up with her at zoerandolph.com
Dr. Lilian Ajayi-Ore, Ed.D.: is a Chief Learning Officer, Digital Marketing Executive, and Data Scientist with over 17 years of industry experience. Lilian is the Founder and CEO of the Global Connections for Women Foundation (GC4W), an award-winning nonprofit organization. GC4W has reached 3.5 Million people worldwide and is a recipient of Best Charity in Manhattan for seven consecutive years since 2015.
In her role as the Head of Data Analytics and Marketing Communications for the past 17years, she launched multiple integrated and marketing strategies, developing and managing big data analytics architecture and data strategy for several Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies. Some of these noteworthy companies and organizations include Saks Fifth Ave, Comcast NBC Universal, Panasonic, IBM Smarter Planet, The Home Depot, ASME, Children’s Place, Macy’s, Citibank, NYWIFT, and MDLive. As a data scientist, she used complex big data analytics techniques to boost profits and drive incremental customer acquisition growth. In her role in academia, she has designed and managed new course development, entrepreneurship programs, real-world corporate-partnership courses, and investment readiness programs for various learners – both domestic and international. Her passion for education and student success has allowed her to work with several institutions, including New York University, Columbia University, St. John’s University, Baruch College-CUNY, UBS Investment Bank, and the International School of Management, in a wide range of programs, including Certificate, Undergraduate, and Master’s, and MBA programs.
Lilian holds a Master’s in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate Degree in Education with Double Distinction Merit from the University of Pennsylvania. Featured in Forbes, The Harvard Business Publishing Journal and rated as top 25 marketing professionals in academia on LinkedIn and a member of Forbes Nonprofit Council. She is a contributor at Forbes, INC, Entrepreneur, Diplomatic Courier, and now GC4Women.org.
Francesca Vuillemin, Astrologer, PR Executive & Brand Partnership Director + GC4W Board Chair
Francesca Vuillemin began her career as an international model before pivoting her career in public relations, sales and marketing strategies that support social impact brand partnerships while integrating practical astrology. In 2020, Francesca was appointed Board chair of GC4W where she served as fashion director and producer for the marketplace launch as well as the successful hybrid Kendra Scott event at the Soho Flagship store in October.
Yerddy LanFranco: is the Vice President of Marketing Sciences at Kinesso IPG and Vice-Chair of Board at GC4W. With over 18 years of experience in Analytics, focused on growing businesses and improving profitability through advanced modeling techniques. She recently received her Masters in Business Analytics from NYU Stern Business School and went to Hunter College To obtain BA/MA in Economics.
Alissa Abramova: I have to note that I absolutely love what I do. When people ask me who I am, I always start with I am in Human Resources. I am very passionate about people function and it is very exciting for me to see the shift towards more human, people first approach. I have spent a good chunk of my career developing company cultures that are sensitive and responsive to the climate around us. 2020 in that sense became a unique year for recalibration and a year of agility specifically for me.
She has been with Kinesso for 2.5 years at this point, as a VP, Talent Experience (HRBP function) and HR US Market Lead. I hold a Bachelor Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a Master Degree in Human Resources Management from Penn State University. Prior to joining Kinesso I was with Hearst supporting their leaders through digital transformation of the Hearst Newspapers unit.
I am very passionate about inclusion and care about real people, with real experiences and their voices being heard. I am a huge fan of Friends show and have watched all 11 seasons endless amounts of time, I love to cook and am the biggest fan of Broadway and theatre.
Janice Perkins: is the Owner of Capacity Communication and the Director of Marketing – Marshall Goldsmith’s Methods of Leaders. Marshall Goldsmith’s Methods of Leaders is a global project started as a way to make the knowledge of the world’s most influential business thinkers from the MG 100 Coaches accessible for current and future leaders around the world. Their mission is to share the collective knowledge of the world’s greatest leaders with the world’s most influential people — those current and future leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and self-starters who can make a positive impact on society — and to make it readily available, affordable, and accessible anywhere, anytime. Janice has been working as Director of Marketing for Methods of Leaders since last year.
She also continues to run her own business started in 2019 called Capacity Communications where she consults, coaches and speaks for corporations and non-profits. Capacity believes in aligning the internal company culture with the external brand reputation. Janice has created Capacity Communications to examine individual levels of growth within organizations to find opportunities for boost productivity and profits through increasing individual capacity in our character. She utilizes her 20 plus marketing experience and career to evaluate internal and external communication and build more successful strategies for success. Common sense marketing with well founded research can drive actual results.
Nicole “Rose” Stillings is Originally from the Midwest, Nicole Rosé moved to Manhattan with a dream and became a world class DJ, podcaster, mindset coach & TV personality on HBO Max’s The Big Shot with Bethenny. Nicole’s mission is to use her entrepreneurial experience in building a six figure business to empower the next generation of badass women by optimizing their mindsets & morning routines with the Queens of Creation mentorship & the Big Queen Energy podcast.
Nicole is an investor in & advisor to female founded companies including Out East Rosé, Cleo Capital & more. Named a “powerful woman” by Marie Claire, Nicole has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, WWD, Business Insider, Fast Company, Cheddar TV & Bravo TV’s Summer House. Nicole is also a board member of UNICEF NextGen & Vice Chair of their annual Next Up! Concert, as she believes children are the way to a more positive world.
Carolyn Bankston, LSWC: Carolyn is a Psychotherapist & International Lecturer. She has been a psychoanalytic psychotherapist for twenty-two years and has taught psychotherapy internationally for eleven. Her belief is that if we can give to ourselves, we can give to the world.
For Carolyn, self-discovery is the most important quest in life and led to her love and passion for helping others. In addition to her psychotherapy ventures, Carolyn is a commercial real estate investor, speaker and has written on the topic of mental health.
Our Thought Leaders will share regular content and have their own content pages. Be sure to look out for their posts across our social media platform and check our website to read more on their individual pages.
