Happy Summer!

I love learning and summer is the perfect time to be a student again – whether that means diving into a captivating book, listening to an insightful podcast, or simply taking a rejuvenating walk to clear my head.

This weekend, while walking, I listened to the latest episode of "Women at Work," and one point really struck me: don't confuse urgency with importance. These "hidden blockers," as the podcast called them, can be strengths early in your career but become hindrances later on. As someone who loves to check things off her list, I’ve always considered my speed and efficiency in getting things done to be my superpower. However, this has also led me to burn out multiple times. Not everything needs to be done now, and I am working to remind myself to continue to prioritize what is important over what others say is urgent.

As we enter these summer months, I encourage you to give yourself time to read, relax, and recharge, focusing on what's truly important. This newsletter is filled with valuable resources and insights to support your ongoing professional development. Don’t miss two recent research studies, featured below: one on effective leadership strategies in today’s increasingly polarized environment, and another examining how AI users are perceived based on gender and disability.

Enjoy the season and let me know what I should add to my reading/listening lists!

 - Lisa Kaplowitz, Executive Director of CWIB

We are thrilled to introduce Dr. Krystal Duarte! With a PhD in Experimental Psychology, Krystal’s work has explored how gender, competition, and social perception shape experiences – particularly how women navigate ambition, the double bind, and friendship dynamics in both personal and professional spaces. She brings 7+ years of experience in experimental design, survey development, data analysis and translating research into real-world insights. Krystal joins us after her time as a graduate researcher and instructor at Oklahoma State University. Welcome Krystal!

Check out our most recent research by Lisa Kaplowitz and Dr. Colleen Tolan on how leaders can promote gender equity in the workplace without deepening polarization. The article highlights the perception gap between men and women regarding gender equity, noting that many men see progress for women as a threat to their own status. The authors suggest that leaders should frame gender equity as beneficial for everyone, avoid zero-sum thinking, and encourage dialogue that respects different perspectives. By promoting inclusive policies and fostering mutual understanding, leaders can build cohesive teams where all members feel valued and empowered.

The study “Shortcut or Sellout? Perceptions of AI Use and Disability in the Workplace” (with contributions from CWIB research fellows Mason Ameri and Terri R. Kurtzberg) explores perceptions of AI in workplace communication, and how they are shaped by gender and disability.

Key findings:

• Emails requesting a pay raise were viewed as more trustworthy and persuasive when they were believed to be written personally; AI-generated messages drew harsher criticism
• Emails from women were generally perceived as more trustworthy than those from men. However, when the sender was a woman with a mental health disability, emails were judged more harshly than those written by male counterparts

These insights remind us how important it is to be thoughtful about using AI in professional communications — and highlight the subtle biases that exist in the workplace. 

Our G.R.O.W. (Gaining and Retaining Outstanding Women) virtual group mentoring experience focuses on supporting mid-career women as they advance through their careers. Cohorts of 8-10 mid-career women meet for (5) hour-long sessions.

• Apply as a mentee if you're an emerging leader with 10-20 years of full-time experience.

• Volunteer as a mentor if you're a leader with 25+ years of full-time experience looking to inspire the next generation of women leaders! 

Applications open early July 2025!

Did you miss our latest workshop on Resilient Leadership or want to rewatch it?

Watch the replay of Bertha Garcia Robinson’s insightful session - Founder and Executive Coach at Star One Professional Services as she unpacks the art of Resilient Leadership.

Why Resilient Leadership Matters: In today’s fast-paced world, personal growth is more than just a path to self-improvement; it’s a powerful catalyst for professional success. Bertha shares how shifting from internal to external resiliency can elevate your professional impact. 

Watch, learn and lead with resilience!

What an incredible evening we had at the Summer Soirée with J. McLaughlin! 

A huge thank you to Taryn Rayment, Olivia Willcox and the amazing J.McLaughlin Princeton team for bringing this event to life. Your support made it possible for us to gather members of the CWIB community to advance women in business. From power networking to summer shopping, the night was filled with inspiring conversations and connections. We are so grateful for everyone who joined us and contributed to making this event a success.

Looking for ways to engage with the CWIB community and help us advance our mission? There are so many ways — whether it is being a mentor, mentee or partnering with CWIB’s programming and research team for impact within your company. 

Email us at women@business.rutgers.edu to connect with us and explore ways we can work together!

Check out our social media channels here!