ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

May 2024

A Message from Leadership

Hello, May! As if time doesn’t go by quickly enough, it feels like the heat of summer has arrived way before we’re ready.

My message this month is to encourage you to take time to appreciate all that blooms among the variety of sights, sounds, and senses we’re fortunate to experience here in Montgomery County and beyond. We can allow ourselves to be consumed by deliverables and commitments, yet I urge you to make time for being present in nature, with your family and friends, and for yourself. There are all sorts of festivals and events taking place throughout our metro area and we can tell ourselves we don’t have time to enjoy them. Yet, we do. The adage that it’s what we do with the time we have that matters is never more true than now.

Case in point: Montgomery Women had our W(h)ine Down Wednesday event this month at A Wider Circle in Silver Spring. I had 3 presentations and facilitations that day. I was registered to attend the evening event, yet as the day progressed I found myself thinking of excuses for canceling my plan to attend. Then at the last minute I pushed myself to go, and I’m glad I did. The event was well-attended, I met people I would not have otherwise met (including a few new MW members), I learned about an organization I knew little about (and with whom we plan to partner for future events), and enjoyed eats, drinks, and great conversation that re-energized me.

My photo this month is of me as emcee at Olney Days in April, a weekend-long party that brings the community together once a year. Get out and get active around the county to recharge your leadership batteries. Speaking of getting out, make sure you come to our First Friday Power Breakfast on May 3 at Mosaic Restaurant in Rockville (see our event info below), and keep your eye out for our upcoming Annual Meeting in June. We had a great New Member Connect event this month as well as the Wednesday evening gathering I mentioned above. Montgomery Women is on the move, and we look forward to you being out and on the move with us. Have a momentous May, and we’ll see you soon!

Until next time,

Sylvia Henderson

President, Montgomery Women

Member Spotlights

Marilyn Balcombe

Councilmember - District 2, Montgomery County Council

Marilyn is a member of the Montgomery County Council representing District 2 and is a strong advocate for her community. Having lived in the Upcounty for nearly 30 years, Marilyn is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work of community building.

Prior to joining the County Council, Marilyn was the President/CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. As the CEO of the Chamber, Marilyn was actively involved in land use planning, transportation and economic development. She has worked with thousands of businesses, large and small, to help create a vibrant local economy.

On the Council, she remains dedicated to strengthening the County’s business climate and bringing jobs to the Upcounty. Marilyn also continues to be a strong voice for transportation improvements. She played a key role in advocating for the construction of the Watkins Mill Interchange and is committed to expanding the capacity of the MARC rail system.

Rose Li

President & CEO,

Rose Li & Associates, Inc. (RLA)

Rose is the President and CEO of RLA, a professional services firm that specializes in science management and research administration, including committee management, research policy development, scientific writing and analyses, and meeting planning — all in the service of moving science forward. She directs a number of projects, interacting directly with clients, and contributes to the substantive content of deliverables as well as running the company. In 2024, the U.S. Small Business Administration named her the Small Business Person of the Year for Maryland.

Prior to founding RLA, Rose held leadership positions at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including Senior Policy Advisor to the NIH Office of Extramural Research, Special Assistant for Policy Development with the NIH Office of Communication and Public Liaison, Chief of the Population and Social Processes Branch within the NIA Division of Behavioral and Social Research, and Health Scientist Administrator with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Quick Tips

For the Everyday Leader

In today's rapidly changing global landscape, navigating corporate and employee activism presents a complex challenge for organizations.

As societal challenges increasingly intersect with the workplace, leaders must find a balance between advocating for positive social change and maintaining a stable work environment.

Effective management of this dynamic requires open dialogue and a clear understanding of both employee values and corporate mission.

In a three-part series, Harvard Business Review discusses good practices for navigating corporate advocacy, employee activism, and conversations on social and political topics. Read more here.

Have a leadership tip or resource you want to share? Click below.

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Key Updates

Save the Date: Montgomery Women Annual Meeting

Montgomery Women's 2024 Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, June 9th. This meeting serves as a significant occasion for us to gather as a community and reflect upon the accomplishments of the organization and the path forward, including key governance decisions. Further details and a formal invitation are forthcoming.

Launching Future Leaders

Since 2008, Montgomery Women members have contributed more than $100,000 to help 85 women complete their education at Montgomery College. This is the first step in helping women launch their careers and advance as leaders. Join us in donating to the Montgomery Women Scholarship and help a woman unlock her potential. A gift of any amount makes a difference. Learn more about donating on our website.