More than just a seat at the table

For the second consecutive year, W. P. Carey celebrated Women's HERstory Month with a panel discussion featuring accomplished women leaders at the business school. Held on March 18, the event embraced this year's theme, "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations."

Shay Moser, senior managing editor of marketing and communications, developed the panel questions and collaborated with the speakers in advance of the event to shape the discussion. She also served as moderator for the second year in a row. This year's panel featured Elana Kutz (MBA '04), managing director of student and external affairs for ASU’s sports business undergraduate degree program in the Department of Marketing; Liz Sortais (BA Communication/Sociology, MEd '11), director of the working professional MBA programs in the Graduate Programs Offices; and Alicia Holder (MBA '00), senior director of business development for Executive Education, Corporate Partnerships and Lifelong Learning.

"I wanted this discussion to feel both personal and practical — an honest look at the challenges and victories women experience in business and how we can lift each other through every stage of our careers," said Moser.

The panelists reflected on their career journeys, the importance of mentorship, and the responsibility business leaders have in narrowing gender gaps in leadership. They also offered advice for young women pursuing careers in business. Kutz shared that she spent a decade in the sports business industry before joining ASU in 2009, seeking more career flexibility after becoming a parent.

"I decided to make a career change, which felt scary at the time," said Kutz, who held several roles at W. P. Carey before helping to launch the school's undergraduate degree in sports business in 2013.

Sortais holds three degrees from ASU and, even as an undergraduate, dreamed of one day working at the W. P. Carey School. Over the past 13 years, she has managed six specialized master's degrees and now oversees the working professional MBA program in her current role.

Holder, who has been with the university for nearly 30 years, reflected on her early experience after joining ASU in 1997.

"Before coming to W. P. Carey, I worked at a university with a lot of turnover — people would start their careers there and leave after a year or two," she said. "I was amazed by people's long careers at the business school."

Throughout the discussion, Kutz, Sortais, and Holder illustrated how women at W. P. Carey are leading with purpose — shaping the future of business in ways that uplift individuals and strengthen communities.

Question: How has your experience at W. P. Carey shaped your approach to mentorship, leadership, or education?

Sortais: W. P. Carey is a special place that provides countless opportunities for growth and development. As a leader, I constantly encourage colleagues to develop themselves and take advantage of what the school has to offer, whether it be ASU's Supervisor Development Program, the Commission on the Status of Women, or creating solutions to their problems.

Holder: It's helped me see the value of taking the long view: growing in my role, helping others grow, and cultivating an investment mindset. I was amazed by people's long careers when I came to W. P. Carey, and it took time not to feel like a newbie by comparison. People often stay connected long after they're gone, so I've learned to view people as an investment I'm making and a relationship and community I'm building for the long term.

Question: Is there a moment at W. P. Carey when you felt you were making a meaningful impact on students, colleagues, or the broader community?

Kutz: The school's sports business degree was originally called Sports and Media Studies and was based on the Polytechnic campus — but when I was first hired, the program title and location didn't feel like the right fit. Because industry experience is critical to breaking into the competitive sports industry, I believed relocating the program to the Tempe campus made the most sense. It offered students easier access to Sun Devil Athletics events and a direct light rail connection to downtown internships with organizations like the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. I took a proactive approach to relocating the program to the main campus, and after the move to Tempe, our enrollment numbers began to double. I also advocated for a name change to Sports Business, believing the original degree name was too lengthy and didn’t clearly convey that the program was housed within the W. P. Carey School of Business.

Question: How can business schools ensure that education is not just about individual success but about uplifting entire communities?

Holder: Individual successes lead to community success, so they are very much linked. A business school's role is to help people continue learning the skills they need for the future — whether that is after graduation or for someone who never pursued a degree — which is exactly what my role focuses on.  So, our ability to be forward-looking and inclusive is crucial.

Question: What is your advice to young women in business looking to grow their careers while giving back through mentorship?

Kutz: Network to expand your professional community and position yourself top of mind when opportunities arise. Mentoring hundreds of current and former students has also taught me the importance of giving back —  many of them have offered insights and guidance that shaped my career. It showed me how fulfilling it is to lift others, both in and beyond the workplace.

Holder: Remember — you are mentoring others even when you don't realize it. I've had former student workers tell me, years later, that stories I shared about my kids helped them navigate work and parenting. I wasn't trying to teach a lesson — I was just sharing how my morning went — but those anecdotes stuck with them. You never know the impact you are making. Also, don't let imposter syndrome get in your way. We all feel like impostors at times, but that doesn't mean we don't have something valuable to offer others.

Sortais: Say "yes" to every opportunity that presents itself — whether it's a special project, training, solving a problem, or simply offering to help a colleague. When a big decision arises and you're wondering whether to go for it, say yes. Each experience helps you grow your skills, give back, and inherently build relationships with others, often resulting in mentorship.

Question: What role do business leaders and educators play in closing gender gaps in leadership?

Kutz: Early in my career, I didn’t see many women in senior-level roles, so it's important to me to help current and former students build the confidence to pursue whatever they set their minds to. Today, only 20% of students in the sports business program are women, which makes their journey at ASU a top priority. I do this by inviting strong women leaders as guest lecturers, executive mentors, and alum role models — creating an inclusive environment and encouraging young women to confidently pursue their career goals.

Question: What is one initiative, program, or moment at W. P. Carey that makes you hopeful for the next generation of women in business?

Holder: I'm especially proud of our work with Next Generation Personal Finance, a program that helps teachers complete three graduate-level courses in personal finance so they can better teach those concepts to their students. The Mary Lou Fulton School now accepts these credits as a specialization in their online master's program — creating the first-ever graduate teaching degree with a personal finance focus.

The ripple effect of this program is significant. It benefits all students but especially girls, who often lack confidence in financial education since it's not emphasized in their families. I hope that this program empowers girls to become confident financial decision-makers and stronger participants in the world of business. And it's not just students who benefit — teachers can also apply what they learn to their financial lives.

Question: What is one piece of advice you'd give to women pursuing a business career?

Kutz: Be flexible — It's OK to shift your career plans and priorities as life changes. Don't worry about others judging your decisions around work or parenting. I recommend reading "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins. It encourages you to let others think or do what they want, which leads to greater emotional peace, a stronger sense of control, and healthier relationships.

Sortais: Say "yes" and volunteer for as many opportunities as you can. Early in my career, a senior leader encouraged me to build my reputation so that when opportunities arose, I'd be the first person decision-makers thought of. Whether it's joining a committee, presenting, working on a new project, developing a process, training a colleague, or identifying and solving a problem —  say yes. These experiences help you grow your skill set, expand your network, and position yourself for future opportunities.

As the panel came to a close, one message rang clear: Empowering women in business isn’t just about personal achievement — it’s about creating lasting impact across industries and generations. Through mentorship, advocacy, and a shared commitment to growth, the women of W. P. Carey continue to lead with purpose and pave the way for future changemakers.