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Sophie Vandebroek is one of four women who will receive the WITI Hall of Fame Award for achievements and contributions in science and technology. This year’s Hall of Fame Awards marks WITI’s 16th year of honoring and recording the contributions of women to science and technology,” says Carolyn Leighton, WITI founder and chairwoman. “In addition to their achievements, all our honorees have demonstrated a commitment to advancing women, and are role models who inspire their colleagues and future generations.”

“Innovation that is nurtured by our commitment to science and technology has defined Xerox for decades,” said Vandebroek, who also serves as president of the Xerox Innovation Group. “That’s what inspired me not only to build a rewarding career here but also to encourage young people to embrace careers in science and technology and help solve the problems facing our world.”

Vandebroek was honored in San Jose, Calif., during the WITI Women Powering Technology Summit, where she delivered a keynote presentation on the Future of Work. “WITI’s Annual Women Powering Technology Summit showcases leading women who are influencing the direction of technology and business.

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BWLC  is featured in the September issue of Xerox Employee Magazine.  The 4^th issue features Nana Beecham and highlights the Ghana Mentoring project initiative and how BWLC expanded their outreach to a BWLC mentoring program for young girls in Accra, Ghana.

Xerox Employee Magazine

Add video conferences to the BWLC’s tool set. As a result of a coordinated effort, the girls from Ghana “attended” the main session of BWLC’s 25th Anniversary Summit in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on July 16. With a Skype hookup, the girls participated in a session that was led by Dr. Ella L.J Edmonson Bell, associate professor of Business Administration, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Dr. Bell is a career strategy expert and national thought leader on the subject.

Thanks go to ACS for providing the Skype connection, as well as for hosting the girls at the ACS Ghana offices in Accra and for providing lunch.

More on the Mentoring Program in Ghana

Mentors from Xerox encourage their mentees in pursuit of their academic and career aspirations in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, or “STEM.” The BWLC not only provides ongoing advice and services, but also school supplies and textbooks. Learn more at MyJoyOnline.

We told you about Nana Beecham (“Living on African Time”), the managing director of Seatec Telecom Services in Ghana. She visited Xerox as part of a 2010 FORTUNE/U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership. This program connects America’s senior female executives with emerging female leaders from other countries. Through mentoring, the participants gain professional and personal insight that helps them improve themselves and make life better for those around them.

It didn’t take long for Nana to transform her experience into something much bigger back home. With the help of two Xerox caucus groups, the Black Women’s Leadership Council (BWLC) and The Women’s Alliance, she is facilitating her own mentoring program with second-year high school girls in Ghana who are studying science. Five of these young women are personally mentored, via Internet, by U.S.-based BWLC members.

“Our new mentees have already fallen in love with Xerox,” Nana said. “When they become decision-makers in the future, I believe there will be 26 young Ghanaian women pushing vehemently for Xerox solutions in their workplace.”

Nana is also working on fulfilling her dream of starting a literacy program. Using books donated by the Rochester (New York) Literacy Movement, Nana hopes to create a reading room in the rural town where the high school is located, so everyone in the community can benefit from the books. This is just the beginning.

“Although I am amazed at how much has happened in the six months since my return from the program, I can tell that a lot more is ahead,” she said. “I am grateful to Xerox and to all of the dedicated people who made it happen.”

Meanwhile, in Argentina …

Now, let’s take a quick trip to Cordoba, Argentina, and meet Cecilia Flores, a marketing and communications regional analyst for ACS’ Argentine-based operations, formerly known as Multivoice. Cecilia participated in a mentoring program called Voces Vitales Argentina (Vital Voices Argentina). Founded in 1997 by then-U.S. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Vital Voices aims to expand women’s roles in the workplace and in society. Although the organization is not new, the mentoring program is just starting in Argentina. Cecilia took part with the full support of ACS leadership.

“Cecilia has great potential and is constantly challenging herself,” said Mike Wooden, ACS’ senior vice president of Business Process Solutions (BPS) responsible for South America sales. “We knew that Vital Voices would give her the opportunity to see how other people do things; to gain new perspective. I think that’s the best way to grow.”

Cecilia and 27 other young executives flew to Buenos Aires to meet with the top female executives who would become their mentors. The group visited the National Congress, met with high-ranking women in government, and spent five days “shadowing” their mentors.

Cecilia was paired with Graciela Adan, the owner of a successful public relations firm. She accompanied Graciela on her client meetings, including one with an ex-president of Chile.

“By shadowing, I was able to see how a powerful woman makes decisions, to ask her questions and to see how she balances her work life and her home life,” Cecilia said. “We tend to think of CEOs as big and powerful people from another planet. But, in reality, there is a human behind every decision.”

According to Cecilia, one of the biggest lessons she learned was to believe in herself and her convictions.

“You have to believe in yourself and your ideas, and not be afraid to fight for what you know is the right option,” she said. “Speak and act with confidence.”

Since returning from the program, Cecilia has already started to pay it forward. She is using her marketing and social media skills to help create a formal 2011 communications plan for Vital Voices Argentina to increase participation. She is also sharing her insights with her co-workers and friends.

“Deep in my heart, I hope I will one day be able to give other women what my mentor and the program has given me,” Cecilia said. “I want everyone to know that if you work hard, you can change your life and the lives of others.”

Maria Gabriela Hoch, co-founder and president of Vital Voices Argentina, agrees. “I’m absolutely sure that Cecilia and the other talented young leaders will make a difference in their communities. Because, when women get together, big things start to happen,” she said.

Look for more good news to come.

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