The Women of the Be EPIC Podcast

Women’s History Month provides a wonderful opportunity to recognize and honor the accomplishments of leaders who have changed countless lives for the better over the years. And I, for one, don’t have to look far to find some great examples.

I can make a list of impactful women from history, of course, but many of my favorite examples come from the here and now. I can rattle off names from my family members, my co-workers at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, my friends, and the alumni and supporters of the University of Arkansas.

There are 31 days in March, so I found it fitting that one source for examples of women who have directly impacted my life produced exactly 31 names. These are the women who have taken part in the Be EPIC podcast.

I started hosting this podcast a couple of years ago as a way to share insights and examples from the lives of leaders. The interviews specifically focus on the values of the Walton College — excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collegiality (EPIC).

A little research on the women who have taken part produced some eye-popping information about their credentials and accomplishments.

Six of them, for example, have published a combined total of 37 books and two have been TedTalk speakers. Ten have earned a doctorate and two others have a law degree. Six started their own businesses or initiatives. They have been successful in huge corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, and universities. And while 13 are alumni of the Walton College, all 31 exemplify excellence, professionalism, innovation, and collegiality.

These women have taught me a great deal about business, leadership, and life. Among those lessons: What it takes to succeed as a female leader in today’s world. This matters because it helps me understand and empathize with women, which helps me be a better father, husband, and leader.

As a dean, for instance, I am committed to understanding, taking seriously, and addressing the challenges faced by our female students, faculty, staff, and alumni. I know more about those challenges and can relate to them better because of interviews with people like Elaine Longer, Mary Beth Brooks, and Rebecca Garner, who all described their experiences as women in the traditionally male financial industry.

Elaine, who earned an MBA from the Walton College and eventually founded Longer Financial, got into the industry at a time when getting a CFA designation was uncommon for women. Rebecca, who worked in several sectors of finance before retiring, talked about overcoming sexism in the industry in the 1980s. And Mary Beth, who is now the director of the Arkansas Small Business Technology and Development Center, discussed a career in banking that included more than 10 years as president and CEO of the Bank of Fayetteville.

Others talked about specific efforts to provide women with more opportunities for success. For example, Stephanie Thomas, a clinical assistant professor at the Walton College, explained efforts to increase the number of women studying supply chain management. Increasing opportunities also was a theme in discussions with diversity and inclusion experts such as Dani Monroe and Barbara Lofton.

All of the guests, of course, offered expertise about their specific fields and areas of interest — founding and building a business, championing ethics at a Fortune 500 company, promoting physical fitness, using technology for social good, helping students succeed in the classroom and deal with emotional stress, how blockchain technology applies in business, the latest trends in marketing, developing innovations in business, consumer pricing strategies for retailers, the growing use of analytics, cryptocurrency, and the entrepreneurial mindset.

While the calendar page is about to turn on Women’s History Month, it’s never too late to go back and listen to the interviews and experience some of what I’ve learned from these incredible women. Then stay tuned, because much more is certainly to come.

(Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/women-epic-podcast-matt-waller/ )