February 10 – Women in the Workforce Panel Recap

backgrounds

Morgan Lamphere is the President of Lauren Rose Senior Advisors. She graduated from Ohio University in June 2001 with a degree in Journalism and a certificate in the Global Learning Community, where she was part of the inaugural class. Morgan has held several leadership roles in senior living and development, including Vice President of New Development at Sunrise Senior Living, First Vice President of Marketing at Greenbrier Development and Vice President of Marketing at Retirement Living Associates, Inc. In these positions, she led sales and marketing operations, developed strategies to drive market demand and built high-performing teams across the U.S. 

Danielle McCarthy is the Marketing & Operations Manager at Little Birdie Wine Nest and an Adjunct Professor of Strategic Communications. She graduated from Ohio University in 2017 with a degree in Strategic Communications and later earned her Master’s in Integrated Communications & Marketing from West Virginia University. During her time at OU, she was actively involved as a Scripps College Ambassador, a member of Thumbprint (now 1804 Comms), Ad Club, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and the Student Alumni Board. Danielle has held various roles in account management, brand management and project management, including positions as Assistant/Account Manager, Assistant Brand Manager and Operations Manager.

Jennifer Manocchio is the President at Sweeney and a Co-Founder of The Boardroom. She specializes in strategic planning, identifying market opportunities, and executing impactful marketing and PR strategies that deliver measurable results. Jennifer has worked with a diverse range of high-profile clients across B2C, B2B and B2G sectors, including BAE Systems, Siemens, Joann Fabric and Craft Stores, Big Lots and Butterball Turkey. She graduated from the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University in 2001 and was an active member of Scripps PRSSA.

Advice for Women Entering the Workforce

• Morgan: Focus on relationships. Build connections with peers, mentors, and colleagues. You don’t know everything yet, but the people around you can help.
• Jennifer: Go beyond LinkedIn. Actively build relationships that will help you grow. Seek a mentor, whether through PRSA, AMA or other organizations. OU’s network is a huge advantage.
• Danielle: Be confident from the start. Don’t feel like you have to “pay your dues” before speaking up. Ask questions in meetings and contribute early on.

Overcoming Workplace Challenges

• Morgan: Experience takes time, but you can accelerate learning by seeking mentors and educational opportunities. Many people don’t take advantage of them, so be the person who does.
• Jennifer: Set boundaries early. Your 20s will bring challenges, but don’t let frustration discourage you. Hard days mean you’re growing.
• Danielle: Working with difficult people is inevitable. Build trust, be a reliable team member, and communicate in ways that resonate with different personalities.

Work-Life Balance

• Jennifer: Balance will never be perfect. Life and work will overlap at times, but establishing boundaries helps. Businesses have become more mindful of work-life balance, especially after COVID.
• Morgan: A supportive partner makes a difference. Marriage is a partnership that fluctuates daily, so choosing the right person can reduce stress and support career growth.
• Danielle: Work is just one part of life. It provides stability, but it doesn’t have to define your entire identity. Find meaning in other areas, too.

Personality Expectations in the Workplace

• Danielle: Early on, she felt pressure to be a certain way. Over time, she realized that being in the right environment made a difference. If you feel like you need to change who you are, the team may not be the right fit.
• Jennifer: Work in a place where you can be yourself. If you feel like you can’t, you may need to reconsider if it’s the right company for you.
• Morgan: Trust your gut. Some adjustments are necessary, but if a job or culture feels wrong, listen to that feeling.

Navigating the Glass Ceiling

• Morgan: If you feel limited, move on. There are other opportunities.
• Jennifer: Women still face workplace challenges, but it’s better than ever. If an employer doesn’t value you, leave. If a client disrespects you, don’t work with them.
• Danielle: Some industries are still male-dominated, but communications, marketing and PR tend to offer more leadership opportunities for women.

How the Workforce is Changing

• Danielle: The best way forward is to lift each other up. Diverse teams generate better solutions. Younger generations bring fresh perspectives—embrace them.
• Morgan: Gen Z has a reputation for not working hard. Overcome that perception by going the extra mile and proving your work ethic.
• Jennifer: Work styles differ across generations. Older employees value work ethic, while younger ones push for work-life balance. Learn from both. Be reliable and show up consistently.

Advocating for Yourself

• Morgan: Set clear boundaries, but don’t avoid opportunities. Some discomfort leads to growth.
• Jennifer: Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Be open to learning.
• Danielle: Self-advocacy is a work in progress. It depends on the people around you and your level of comfort, but it’s something to keep practicing.

Final Thoughts

• Morgan: If she could do college again, she’d be more intentional about networking. Undergrad is a great time to build your professional presence. Be active on LinkedIn because recruiters will check yours.
• Jennifer: Be patient with yourself. Careers evolve, and learning never stops.
• Danielle: Confidence and adaptability will help you navigate challenges. Keep building relationships and stay open to new opportunities.

Connect with Morgan, Jennifer and Danielle on LinkedIn!