A woman can make it if she has the will, even in a man’s world.

I joined TiE-Boston as a volunteer in January 1998. TiE-Boston hired me as Office Manager the following year. I was the first and the only employee. Little did I know that my role was to single-handedly build the operations from the ground up. As a single mother of a nine year old it was a great risk for me to resign my well-paying job as Senior Medical Technologist. The reason I accepted the job was that I believed in TiE-Boston’s philosophy of uniting the entrepreneurial community. I knew that as a woman there would be much that I could contribute in a predominantly male environment.

I went to work with a passion for TiE-Boston and a belief that a woman could do anything – a conviction I inherited from my mother. I observed and learned about implementing organizational processes. As a woman I had to work extra hard to earn the respect from my superiors, who were predominantly males.

TiE-Boston promoted me to Director of Operations and External Affairs this year. This validated my contribution. I went on to create the marketing department, Communications and Networking committee, strengthened the sponsor relationship, expanded the TiE-Boston Alliance Partner program, conceived and initiated the Charter Member/CEO breakfast events and initiated the TiE-Boston strategic planning meeting. My most recent pride and joy is the revival of TiEWIN (The Indus Women Initiative).

TiE-Boston is successful today because members that form TiE communities give their time freely to further develop this chapter. In addition sponsors add tremendous value to our entrepreneurial ecosystem through their financial support and insights. The onetime disappearinginitiative The Indus Women which had all but disappeared is, today as TiEWIN, a vibrant and active group.

Leverage is power. TiE-Boston achieves leverage by partnership with over 20 professional organizations in the Boston area, by holding joint events and complementing each other’s resources. I utilized these resources to increase sponsorship and membership.

These are exciting times for TiE-Boston and for me. We move forward with a bold and ambitious plan to increase revenues and invest in quality programs.

Today, there are several women working at TiE-Boston. In addition, there are more than the three or so founding women members.

What started as an imposing challenge for a woman is now fueling unstoppable growth in a man’s world.

I invite you to meet several amazing women, who are speaking at our annual conference. I hope to see you there. Visit www.tiecon04.org for details.

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