Influencing Silicon Valley
Five business school alumnae have been selected as 2016 Women of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. They find themselves among 14 Santa Clara University alumni and 100 women “who are changing Silicon Valley’s landscape in business, nonprofits, healthcare and professional services.” An event celebrating and honoring all 100 Women of Influence is being held on May 5 at the San Jose Convention Center.
Check out a quick snapshot below of our alumni who were named this year's Women of Influence and visit the Silicon Valley Business Journal for more in-depth profiles of all 100 women.
MJ Austin Executive MBA ‘08
Technology Woman of Influence
Senior Director, Product Management
PayPal
The best advice you've ever received:
“Always do the best that you can (even if you don't like the role you are in) and you will be recognized/rewarded in the future.”
Sheila Hatch MBA ‘00
Advertising Woman of Influence
President and Creative Director
Decca Design
Your best advice for others:
“Be open to input. It’s easy to see it as criticism and get defensive, but it’s more useful to see it as a learning experience, an opportunity to hear from experts. Just listen and try to hear what you can use and apply. If it doesn’t apply or doesn’t work, you can always decide that later, but be open to it in the moment.”
Tanya Monsef Bunger ’86
Education Woman of Influence
Dean’s Executive Professor
SCU Leavey School of Business
Who is your hero/mentor?
“My mother and father. They have never doubted my ability to achieve anything and that is the biggest gift I could have been given. This allowed me to have a deep knowledge that anything is possible for me. They also taught me the value of hard work and persistence. They had several businesses and their success came from dedication. I saw from a very young age what that meant. They also taught me the value of generosity. Seeing the best in people versus looking for what is wrong.”
Aruna Ravichandran M.S. ’98, MBA ’09
Software Woman of Influence
Vice President, Product and Solution Marketing
CA Technologies
Your best advice for others:
“Pursue your passion and never give up even if you run into obstacles along the way. There is no easy path to success and when you are passionate about what you do, you will excel. When you are passionate about your work, then work becomes fun and you get paid to have fun!”
Angela Robbiano ’80, Executive MBA ’01
Aerospace Woman of Influence
Finance and Business Operations Senior Manager, Advanced Technology Center
Lockheed Martin
The best advice you've ever received:
“From a previous boss and mentor: Be accountable for your actions and always be honest.”
Women of Influence affiliated with Santa Clara University
CEO, iMerit Technologies Regis and Dianna McKenna Professor of Science, Technology, and Society SCU School of Engineering |
Director of Finance City of San Jose |
|
Ragan Henninger ’98 
Senior Policy Advisor Office of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo |
Julie Mar-Spinola J.D. ’87 
Chief Intellectual Property Manager, Vice President Legal Operations, Board Member, Finjan Holdings |
|
Jessica Perry ’97, J.D. ’00 
Partner Orrick |
Nellie Peshkov ’98 
Vice President, Talent Acquisition Netflix |
|
Carol Reiley ’04 
President Drive.ai |
Pallie Zambrano J.D. ’99 
Partner McManis Faulkner |
|
Rosie Zepeda ’94 
Founder/CEO Compelling Conversations Training and Consulting |
Read about previous years' SCU-affiliated Women of Influence award winners at the links below.