The dynamic relationship of American politics and business have vastly changed since 1990. The prominence of women in leadership roles, and the impact they have, has also changed drastically. Historically, entire fields – such as public relations, for instance – have been largely controlled by white male business leaders. While this has changed, the call for inclusion of women in the business environment is growing now more than ever. Although women creating a positive impact across the globe has been trending in the right direction for years, since March of 2020, a number of female leaders have emerged as a benchmark for what competent leadership looks like — and been applauded for it. The world didn’t need a pandemic to realize that people are generally better off when their leaders of businesses and constituents are smart, honest, and modest, yet it often seems like it took just that to push the ball forward. What exactly did the pandemic expose about leadership, stewardship, community and innovation that were only at our peripherals before? Or at least not in the focus they are today. If we are to ensure that our future generations materialize high-quality leaders and empathetic, driven communities, where should we look for quality examples of good leadership in today’s generations of leaders? What tools should we collect to ensure we can operate in an increasingly dynamic world of politics, business and communities?
One tool that many listening to this show have in common is the privilege of a college degree. Millennials are the most educated group, particularly of women, in history, and Generation Z is on pace to surpass that. Education undoubtedly plays a large role in building leaders, trailblazers, and driven professionals. With the role of higher education changing seemingly as fast as the world around it, students and colleges are blazing new paths to make an impact in our world. Harnessing the power of education, and the opportunities particular types of education can provide, is essential to create a world of honest, driven, intelligent, and empathetic leaders. How do we create this space? And what are we seeing now from the world of leadership in business and government that can inform what is working and what still needs improvement?
Joining us on this month’s episode to discuss these ever-important questions is Jona Van Deun, CSB alumna and current member of the CSB Board of Trustees. With an extensive background in politics and public affairs, Jona Van Deun was formerly Vice President of Small Business Coalitions and Engagement for the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. before returning to her native Nebraska as president of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC).
Beginning her career as a Staff Assistant to former President George H.W. Bush in the Office of Presidential Scheduling, Jona served as Deputy Director for Cabinet Affairs to Governor Arne H. Carlson (MN). She then returned to D.C. as a professional staff member on the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, working on social welfare policy. Jona also served as Director of Site Operations for both the 2000 (Philadelphia, PA) and the 2004 (New York, NY) Republican National Conventions. Serving on the White House Transition Team, she went on to be the Advance and Scheduling Director for Mrs. Lynne V. Cheney. Throughout her 25-year career, Jona has provided strategic expertise to several trade associations and Fortune 500 companies, including 3M Company, DCI Group, the Pillsbury Company, and the Property Casualty Insurers Association (PCI). Jona also served as Director of Coalitions for Koch Companies Public Sector.
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By CSB/SJU Young Alums
5
44 ratings
The dynamic relationship of American politics and business have vastly changed since 1990. The prominence of women in leadership roles, and the impact they have, has also changed drastically. Historically, entire fields – such as public relations, for instance – have been largely controlled by white male business leaders. While this has changed, the call for inclusion of women in the business environment is growing now more than ever. Although women creating a positive impact across the globe has been trending in the right direction for years, since March of 2020, a number of female leaders have emerged as a benchmark for what competent leadership looks like — and been applauded for it. The world didn’t need a pandemic to realize that people are generally better off when their leaders of businesses and constituents are smart, honest, and modest, yet it often seems like it took just that to push the ball forward. What exactly did the pandemic expose about leadership, stewardship, community and innovation that were only at our peripherals before? Or at least not in the focus they are today. If we are to ensure that our future generations materialize high-quality leaders and empathetic, driven communities, where should we look for quality examples of good leadership in today’s generations of leaders? What tools should we collect to ensure we can operate in an increasingly dynamic world of politics, business and communities?
One tool that many listening to this show have in common is the privilege of a college degree. Millennials are the most educated group, particularly of women, in history, and Generation Z is on pace to surpass that. Education undoubtedly plays a large role in building leaders, trailblazers, and driven professionals. With the role of higher education changing seemingly as fast as the world around it, students and colleges are blazing new paths to make an impact in our world. Harnessing the power of education, and the opportunities particular types of education can provide, is essential to create a world of honest, driven, intelligent, and empathetic leaders. How do we create this space? And what are we seeing now from the world of leadership in business and government that can inform what is working and what still needs improvement?
Joining us on this month’s episode to discuss these ever-important questions is Jona Van Deun, CSB alumna and current member of the CSB Board of Trustees. With an extensive background in politics and public affairs, Jona Van Deun was formerly Vice President of Small Business Coalitions and Engagement for the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. before returning to her native Nebraska as president of the Nebraska Tech Collaborative (NTC).
Beginning her career as a Staff Assistant to former President George H.W. Bush in the Office of Presidential Scheduling, Jona served as Deputy Director for Cabinet Affairs to Governor Arne H. Carlson (MN). She then returned to D.C. as a professional staff member on the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Ways and Means, working on social welfare policy. Jona also served as Director of Site Operations for both the 2000 (Philadelphia, PA) and the 2004 (New York, NY) Republican National Conventions. Serving on the White House Transition Team, she went on to be the Advance and Scheduling Director for Mrs. Lynne V. Cheney. Throughout her 25-year career, Jona has provided strategic expertise to several trade associations and Fortune 500 companies, including 3M Company, DCI Group, the Pillsbury Company, and the Property Casualty Insurers Association (PCI). Jona also served as Director of Coalitions for Koch Companies Public Sector.