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HOME ~ NEWS/EVENTS ~ JUNE 13, 2007


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2007

Jill Dagilis named to the Advisory Board of the Female Leadership Interest Council, Inc. (FLIC)


WESTBOROUGH, MA._ Jill Dagilis, Executive Director of the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) was recently appointed to the newly formed Advisory Board of the Female Leadership Interest Council, Inc. (FLIC).

 

Dagilis worked for the city of Worcester for 25 years before ending her tenure as the city’s director of Health and Human Services in September 2006. As the Executive Director of the Community Action Council, she leads an organization focused on stimulating change in the fundamental causes of poverty, and to create and provide opportunities for economic self-sufficiency through services, partnership, and advocacy. She oversees an annual budget of $13 to $15 million.

 

FLIC is a non-profit organization founded on the principles of female leadership, mentoring and the belief that when you can help someone else succeed, you personally grow and prosper. The Council’s mission is to provide educational instruction to women to assist in developing their capabilities in the business world, which will increase the likelihood that their successes will benefit the community.

 

Deborah Penta, founder of FLIC and CEO of PENTA Communications, Inc. has been assembling the Advisory Board with senior level zealots that are both leaders from the community and highly notable in their particular industries.

 

“I am very grateful that Jill has made the commitment to join and play an active role on FLIC’s Advisory Board. She is a proven leader in the public sector and has a tremendous record of accomplishment for getting things done,” Penta said. “She is recognized and respected for making a significant difference through her work and her inspirational leadership of both women and men and (she) is truly indicative of what today’s female leadership can achieve.”

 

 “I’m a great fan of Deborah Penta. When she asked me to join her Advisory Board,  I said ‘yes’ immediately,’’ Dagilis said. “I respect her as a leader and mentor. This is a great opportunity to do more for women.”

 

Dagilis added that historically the public sector has been male dominated, but things have been changing over the years.

 

“Women are a lot stronger,” Dagilis said. “I tend to be in circles of women who are educated, passionate and inspiring. Women 20 to 30 years ago had different roles. Today the glass ceiling is being burst. Women are making headway.”

 

“Today’s women are making significant strides in all facets of career advancement, obtaining greater leadership roles and in recognizing that they can achieve greatness by continuing to develop professionally, personally and socially,” Penta said. “I have no doubt that FLIC will fast track women to achieve professional and personal success through the myriad of programs it will offer, and through the guidance and leadership of a Board that leads by example. Jill has proven women can achieve professional success in a previously male-dominated environment and she has accomplished it by being herself.”

 

Over the years, in her past positions within the city of Worcester, Dagilis said she enjoys being a role model and has historically taken female interns under her wing.

 

“I’ve tried to help young college women see what it’s like in the business world, as well as what it’s like to give back to the community,” she said.

 

Dagilis said she sees her role on the Advisory Board as continuing in that vein, serving as a mentor for young women and for other women who need a bit of encouragement and inspiration. Dagilis said there were three key women in her life who were (and still are) her mentors.

 

“They gave me inspiration and encouragement, and I have wanted to give that back,” she said.

While Dagilis said she has seen an increase of women in high executive positions within the non-profit sector and the private sector, she noted there is still room for improvement in the public sector.

“In my 25 years in a public office, I’ve seen sexism, but today it is much more in check thanks to new laws that make certain language and treatment unacceptable.’’ Dagilis said. “More women need to be pushed up to top leadership roles in the corporate world, municipalities and in politics.”

 

Today, Dagilis said she sees much more of “camaraderie” among top level executive women, than in years past.

 

“There are amazingly talented women right here in the Worcester and Central Massachusetts area,” she said. “These women meet informally at lunches and formally in professional groups. They are united and dedicated to addressing women’s issues. It is my observation and experience that they complement and support each other rather than act competitively.”

 

Dagilis said it is interesting to look back and see how far women have progressed.

 

“Women as leaders and business heads are juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. It is my observation that women have more pain and struggles (in the business world) than men do,” she said. “You need to achieve a sense of balance, and that’s what I have done.”

 

Dagilis added that many women are still in jobs that pay less than their male counterparts, and that has got to change.

 

“Personally, my career path was great. I had family and friends who supported me, and it is based on that foundation that makes me who I am today,” she continued. “You have to have a support system. My jobs required a lot of time out of my house, and my family either sacrificed or helped out. I credit my husband and children for moving on the path of life with me.”

 

Dagilis said she feels very fortunate to be where she is.

 

“When a good person like Deborah Penta asks you to help out, you say ‘yes’ and figure out a way,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to help others.”

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