navigation bullet ABOUT US
navigation bullet NEWS/EVENTS
navigation bullet MEMBERSHIP INFO
navigation bullet MENTORMATCH
navigation bullet CONTACT
 
FLIC - Female Leadership Interest Council - Home Page
secondary navigation link News/Events
secondary navigation link Archived News
secondary navigation link Upcoming Events
secondary navigation link Thoughts on Leadership
secondary navigation link FLIC on YouTube
FLIC News/Events Header

HOME ~ NEWS/EVENTS ~ AUGUST 16, 2007


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2007

 

Genzyme leader named to the Advisory Board of the newly formed Female Leadership Interest Council, Inc.


WESTBOROUGH, MA. _ As a Director of Managed Markets for Genzyme Corporation’s diagnostic testing division, Laura Housman leads a team of managed care sales and marketing experts in developing strategic, as well as tactical programs and initiatives. Her expertise, drive and self-directed motivation make her a perfect fit as one of the Advisory Board members for the newly formed Female Leadership Interest Council, Inc. (FLIC).

 

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

 

“Laura is an idea person who has a tremendous spirit and is very bright,” said Deborah Penta, founder of FLIC and CEO of Westborough-based marketing firm, PENTA Communications, Inc. “She is not afraid to push the envelope and make suggestions to change and stimulate growth. She brings a very healthy perspective to the table.”
 
Originally, from New York, Housman came to Massachusetts to attend Boston University, and she decided to stay in the state.

 

“I got my first ‘real’ job at BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts and worked there for nearly a decade,” Housman said. “I did everything you could imagine in heath services and then on the contracting side of the business. While learning a great deal on the job, I felt there were continued skills I could hone through advanced study.”  While working full-time, Housman attended graduate programs and received her Masters degree in Public Health (MPH) in 1994, and then later, went on to graduate school in business receiving an MBA in 2000. “I felt fortunate to have both the time and opportunities to advance my knowledge through study while working.” She added.

 

Housman said, however, none of that would have been possible without having a series of mentors along the way who have both helped and inspired her.”

 

“I’ve always been self-directed, but I have also had both male and female mentors who have not only helped shape who I am, but have also been key to my professional successes,” she said. “This was one reason I was attracted to the FLIC™ concept of mentoring. I think it is a unique opportunity for women helping women in business and in life. I am really interested in Mentormatch™. For me, I see it as a way of giving back.”

 

“It is truly inspiring when women like Laura are excited to give back through FLIC™,” Penta said. “Those members who seek to grow and desire mentoring through our organization will be very fortunate to have dedicated professionals to talk with and learn from. Laura is evidence that one can achieve their goals through.”

 

Housman noted that at one company where she had joined, it took the female managers a long time to make an effort to become acquainted.

 

“The men, however, were very welcoming right away,” she said, adding, “I’ve heard from many women in business, and have experienced myself, that the cattiness is still there to a degree in the professional world.”

 

Housman said she feels one of the reasons is that women perceive there are a lot fewer opportunities at the top.

 

“It seems some women are less comfortable competing on skill and expertise, and they can tend to resort to less than attractive behavior in an effort to ensure they are moving towards one of those few opportunities,” she said. “We need to bridge the gaps for all women in every stage of employment.”

 

Housman said the healthcare field is predominately female-oriented at the lower and middle job levels.

 

“It tends to get more male-oriented at the top,” she said, adding, “Though we are continuing to make inroads. That said, I’ve been in the workforce for over 20 years, and the barriers to reaching the executive leadership ranks has been there the entire time. When you move up in the workforce, you see it. However, it is important to consider, is it a glass ceiling or a loss of opportunity?, Maybe it’s more like a ‘plexi-glass ceiling’. Pay discrepancies, time commitment pressures and being asked to perform more tactical-oriented work; they all conspire to keep women from pursuing broader responsibilities. We need to change that.”

 

According to Housman, when she had her daughter (now three-years-old) she was given a great deal of flexibility, which enabled her to continue to do her job effectively.

 

“Genzyme was very accommodating. They gave (and continue to give) me flexibility, enabling me to be my most productive at work,” she said.

 

“As I become stronger and more confident in what I bring to the professional world, I would like to develop that strength and confidence in others by example,” Housman added. “I want to be an example for my daughter and a role model for myself.”

 

“Being role models for our kids is paramount,” Penta agreed. “Mentoring our children is one of the most wonderful things we can do as mothers, as parents. We hope to inspire and teach women how to become better role models for their children through some of FLIC’s  programs.”

 

“I’m looking forward to working with these women executives,” said Housman. “This is a special group of women and I feel a different energy from this group. These are women who have taken knocks and have kept their poise and who don’t have a chip on their shoulders.”

back to top

 

   
Copyright © 2017 FLIC 800.671.FLIC 208 Turnpike Rd. Westborough, MA 01581 Privacy Policy

Site designed and developed by PENTA Communications, Inc.