February 12 — Women in the Workforce

On Monday, February 12, Scripps PRSSA hosted the annual Women in the Workforce Panel. This panel, managed and run by the Diversity Committee, is designed to open up conversations about women’s experiences in the workplace and how to navigate the workplace as a woman. It is also meant to foster conversation about how to continue to improve the workplace for women and other minority groups.

The three panelists were Lindsay Weisnaur, Jennifer Manocchio and Harley-Anne Hernandez. Lindsay is the Director of Communications and Marketing for the City of Dublin. She graduated from OU with a B.S. in Journalism and Franklin University with a Masters in Marketing and Communications. After working for several years as a news producer in Lima, Toledo and Columbus, she transitioned to working in public relations in the public sector.

Jennifer is the President of Sweeney & Co., an agency, and the co-founder of The Boardroom, a non-profit that aims to empower and mentor women to develop a network and advance to higher leadership roles in the workforce. She graduated from OU with a B.S. in Journalism and Northwestern with a Digital Marketing Strategies Certificate.  

Harley is the Marketing, Media and Events Coordinator for Source Cannabis in Los Angeles. She was also an assistant producer for the 2024 Grammy Awards. She graduated from OU with a Bachelor’s in Media Arts and Production with a minor in Film and she participated in the Ohio-in-LA program.

Key takeaways:

• Surround yourself with strong women, mentors and allies who set others up for success and are intentional about including people in conversations. 
• Work for companies that align with your values, and advocate for yourself and others around you. Don’t be afraid to ask a company what they stand for to ensure it aligns with your needs. 
• For mothers who work, the best thing an employer can offer is flexibility with their work schedule, a strong support system, and an understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for working mothers.
• If you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, remember that you have the knowledge other people need. Coach yourself out of negative thoughts and surround yourself with people who can provide you with supportive feedback.
• Be confident in your knowledge of what you can do and follow through on your promises. Build up your own reputation, use your skills to help others, and let people know what kind of worker you are.
• Remember that your presence, knowledge and expertise are valuable. Don’t be afraid to take credit for your work and acknowledge the value you bring to the table.
• Stay true to who you are and your boundaries, and uphold your own standards of how to be treated and how to treat others. Evaluate opinions and take stock of opinions that you actually need and want.

Connect with Lindsay, Jennifer, and Harley on LinkedIn.