The Stern Opportunity

Karen Peetz Senior Executive Vice President Bank of New York Mellon

What is BNY Mellon currently doing in regards to women's initiatives?

BNY Mellon's Women's Initiatives Network (WIN), has 20 chapters around the world and serves as a resource for the professional development and advancement of women. WIN provides many opportunities to develop professional skills, engage in community outreach and give recruiting assistance. More informally, we developed WIN to emphasize the importance of networking. A Harvard Business Review article, "The Labyrinth of Leadership" discusses how there is not really a glass ceiling, but rather a labyrinth, and that women often do not take the time to develop a network. As the founder of WIN, it has far exceeded my expectations in terms of development and global scope.

What advice do you have for MBA women about to graduate in today's changing environment?

As soon as you get a job, you should recognize that you need to network, internally and externally. It's not just enough to work hard and keep your head down; you need to actively reach out to others. This will not only help you inside the company, but outside as well.

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