At Point B, leadership development isn’t just a goal – it’s our commitment to nurturing talent, fostering community, and driving growth. Our Women to Watch Cohort program exemplifies this vision, offering a carefully crafted development experience for a small group of senior-level women identified as having the potential to step into bigger leadership roles. This initiative, launched in June 2024, has not only shaped the careers of its participants, but also reinforced Point B’s commitment to cultivating impactful leaders who inspire others.
Identifying Extraordinary Women Leaders
“When we began shaping our talent strategy for the cohort program, we knew we needed to focus on intentional investment,” explained Alfredo Mendez, Vice President of Learning, Leadership and Employee Experience. “We wanted to prioritize female talent and create a platform to empower them as future leaders.”
These 10 women were chosen from various departments based on their leadership potential, coming together as a tightly designed cohort focused on development, support, and building executive-level skills:
- Khushbu Desai Hara, Director, Account Operations
- Sicely Donaldson, Interim Chief Growth Officer
- Jennifer Fagan, Director, Consulting
- Anna Kraemer, Senior Director, Growth & Offerings
- Kirsten Markley, Senior Client Partner
- Laura McIntyre, Senior Director, Consulting
- Tina Opp, Senior Client Partner
- Emily Panozzo, Senior Director, Consulting
- Kelli Purvis, Vice President, Human Resources
- Luciana Torgoman, Senior Director, Delivery Excellence
The program kicked off with individual career development conversations aimed to understand each participant’s aspirations which was led by senior leaders at Point B. “We designed a tailored curriculum based on common goals,” Mendez added. This included 1-on-1 coaching with leaders, skill-building sessions, and learning journeys to refine executive presence, communication, and conflict management.
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A Cohort with Big Goals
The program's centerpiece was a dynamic 2-day summit in Chicago, where participants engaged in interactive workshops and presented their business challenges to our board. This pivotal moment sparked engagement and enthusiasm not only among the cohort members, but also within the executive team. “The board was amazed,” noted Mendez. “They loved the experience and are eager to create more opportunities like this.”
Over the past several months, the growth and confidence of the cohort members have been nothing short of inspiring. Some highlights include:
- Sicely Donaldson stepping into the interim role of Chief Growth Officer and delivering measurable impact
- Achievements recognized through Our Values Awards by Kirsten Markley and Tina Opp
- Kelli Purvis, HR professional by title, taking her skills outside of her role to sell a customer project in a competitive scenario
- Jen Fagan was named a 2024 Women Leader in Consulting, Mentor of the Year by Consulting Magazine
- Emily Panozzo Named a 2024 Women Leader in Consulting by Consulting Magazine
“These accomplishments showcase just how much these women have leaned into the program,” said Mendez. “They’ve increased their confidence, strengthened their storytelling abilities, and grown into leaders who take initiative.”
Equally important, the program has cultivated an unshakable sense of community. “These women have built a support network that transcends traditional silos,” Mendez added. “They leverage each other for advice and collaborate in ways that strengthen Point B’s culture.”
Voices from Women Making an Impact
"It has been a true privilege to be part of the Women to Watch cohort," said Jen Fagan, Director of Strategic Execution. "I feel valued for the unique skills and experience I bring to the table." Jen not only felt empowered through the workshops and skills-training provided by the cohort but found an unexpected gift – building relationships with other inspiring women leaders. "Building relationships with these incredible women leaders has been both personally inspiring and empowering, helping me grow into a stronger, more confident leader. Together, we support each other, share diverse perspectives, and collaborate more effectively as a team."
"Being part of the Women to Watch cohort has been an invaluable experience, offering me the chance to connect with and learn from extraordinary women leaders within Point B," shared Anna Kraemer, Customer Director. "This experience has broadened my perspective on what it means to be a female leader and has connected me with insightful resources to elevate my areas of expertise." The cohort experience has been more than just an investment in Anna — it has equipped her with the skills and confidence to mentor her team and inspire others, amplifying her impact beyond herself. "The mentorship, support, and shared wisdom within this community has played a pivotal role in expanding my career and deepening my commitment to empowering others."
Leadership development isn’t just about individual growth. It’s about mentoring others, building a legacy, and sharing experiences that pay forward collective growth.
Creating Impact Beyond the Cohort
While the cohort will transition out in June 2025, the legacy will continue. The hope is that participants will not only serve as mentors for the next phase of the program (and potentially a new demographic of participants), but also as communication conduits and advocates for leadership development at Point B.
“This initiative was built using a long-term mindset for leadership development talent pools,” said Mendez. “Leadership development isn’t just about individual growth. It’s about mentoring others, building a legacy, and sharing experiences that pay forward collective growth.”
Beyond accolades and expanded roles, Mendez emphasized that the true measure of success lies in continued engagement. “The goal is to inspire others and maintain energy far beyond program participation,” he stated. “I want these leaders to channel their experiences into mentoring, leading Business Resource Groups, or contributing to emerging programs. That’s the kind of engagement that creates meaningful change.”
The Women to Watch program stands as a testament to Point B’s investment in creating leaders who shape their company and community. It’s about elevating talent, building networks, and empowering meaningful change — for participants today and those who will inherit their legacy tomorrow.
