Last weekend I was fortunate to attend, for the second time, the Harvard Business School Dynamic Women in Business Conference in Boston. Thanks to Janet Hanson, the founder of 85 Broads, the last Saturday of every January will be a staple on my calendar.
The conference provides timely discussions on issues that are important to women professionals in the form of keynote speeches, panel conversations in break-out sessions. It attracts a broad array of distinguished speakers from various industries, academia and non-profits, not just HBS alumni. This year the panels included industry specific discussions from Technology, Private Equity to Social Enterprise and Enterpreneurship and non-industry topics such as Women in Negotiations, Managing as a Woman, Working Abroad. I wished I could be in 5 places at the same time!
Janet was the opening keynote speaker. Even though this was the fourth time I heard her tell her story, I listened with great interest and to some degree with anticipation of seeing her heal from her recent wounds. Just like in our GNY WIN event, everyone laughed when she told the story of her working with her ex-husband across the trading desk and picking up phone calls on his behalf from his “new” girlfriends. The crowd cheered when she opened a new chapter in her life with a new husband and brought to life 2 beautiful children. “Not so fast” she replied. “Wait until the end of the story” .
She then delved into her favorite subject of achieving a high ROI in this global business world. After all, she owns a large asset management firm. Her advice to companies was this:” invest in an undervalued asset class: women! Just like those who invested in clean energy 15-20 years ago, companies who not just hire but invest in women will reap huge benefits.” She added that the war for talent is making smart companies truly human capital focused. VCs and PE firms are having difficulty finding talent for their portfolio companies.
Aon was among the few companies she specifically mentioned as partnering with 85 Broads and trailblazing in their industry with respect to women talent. I was very proud! Remember, 800 dynamic and talented women were listening to her speech. I can’t imagine a better PR for our company. In fact, I strongly think we should be one of the sponsors for this event next year. No one from our industry was represented. Just like the Hidden Brain Drain Task Force, we would create incredible brand awareness for our firm and industry among 400 HBS women and 400 working women every year!
“When your husband of 20 years leaves you, launch a magazine!”….. 85 Broads is coming up with a brand new maganize in April.
After the speech, surrounded by a sea of women, Janet was courageous to talk about her struggles trying to find a new meaning in life. Three women were in tears sharing their version of a similar story. That moment turned into an incredible networking opportunity: one of the women pitched to Janet the idea of creating a stand-up comedy gig teaching divorced women in their 40s and 50s “how to go back into the dating game”!!! She loved the idea, and I think a new business was born…
Nilüfer Durak
Managing Director
Aon Mergers & Acquisitions Group
Boston, MA
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