GMU Business Dean Speaks at Sterling Women Manassas

In spite of the snow, Sterling Women Manassas held another successful event at Stonewall Golf Club at Lake Manassas, this one featuring Sarah Nutter, Dean of George Mason University’s School of Business.

Nutter’s presentation had attendees smiling, nodding and taking notes as she began by describing her upbringing. “I’m a farm kid,” she said, conveying an image of her strong parents who ran a dairy farm in Michigan. Her mother was active in local and state politics, giving her a sense of how women naturally work systems.

Nutter offered three pieces of advice. First, she said, “Look for patterns.” By this, Nutter meant listen to what friends, family and mentors say are strengths and use those patterns to inform the future. Nutter gave an example from her own life: at different periods, she kept being told to continue her education and go into teaching. She did, and her career in higher education resulted.

The second piece of advice, Nutter attributed to her mother. “You can get a lot done if you don’t care who gets the credit,” she said. Nutter said it’s important to be seen as someone who “gets things done,” which sometimes means someone else gets the credit for ideas. At times, it’s useful to let someone else believe the idea was his/hers in order to move things along.

Finally, Nutter said, it’s important to recognize the incredible power of the optimistic mind. “[This is] crucial particularly if you’re building a small organization,” she said. “You have no idea how bad stuff can open the next door.”

The afternoon included shopping and networking. “I’m here to meet professionals within my own community, inside and outside of my industry,” said Vickie Hamp, VP of Corporate Real Estate with Long and Foster. Johanna Grossens of Simplicity Events and Terri Aufmuth Stevens of Cornerstone Landscaping agreed that networking was key and that the event provided good opportunity to meet other women in business.

But it was also a great time to highlight the nonprofit of the month, Comfort Cases. Teen Emily Stevens came out to represent the cause. “I want to inform the community about Comfort Cases, an organization which creates backpacks for children in foster care,” she said. She described how children are sent to foster care often with only a trash bag of battered belongings. Comfort Cases aims to stop that trend by providing children of all ages with clothing and personal items to call their own.

The success of having dynamic speakers and inspired women at Sterling Women events has been evidenced through its sponsors. Dorri C. Scott, an educator as well as CEO and Publisher of VA Woman magazines, has been a sponsor. Scott, who holds Masters degrees in social work and business and who is on the board of George Mason’s Women’s Business Initiative, publishes three of these magazines, one for Loudoun, one for Arlington and one for Prince William. The magazine is intended to educate, inspire, inform and empower by highlighting local women’s expertise.

Working in a male-dominated industry, Scott advises women going into business, “Know yourself. Be true to you. Know who you are…do the work on who you are, know your values and beliefs and stay to the core of your values. And never quit.”

Sterling Women Manassas’ next event will feature Kristina Bouweiri, President and CEO of Reston Limousine and Founder of Sterling Women. For more information, visit the Sterling Women Manassas website.

Sterling Women Manassas is a local network of professionals committed to encouraging, supporting, inspiring and strengthening one another. Through events and monthly meetings, Sterling Women Manassas showcases and celebrates exceptional women in the Prince William Area.