3 8 | L E H I G H B U L L E T I N “A lot of the time, when really big things happened with the business, there were other women in the room—sometimes it was all women in the room,” Gardell said. “I think, ultimately, having women successful in all levels of business and decision-making definitely benefitedme from the bottomup.” Friedman helped Gardell attend the 2016 International Toy Fair in New York, where retailers make decisions about whether they want to buy a product. Gardell and her toy company, Mezzimatic LLC, received a lot of attention at the show. CNBC named Goblies one of the hottest toys at the fair. Friedman, who graduated with a degree in business and economics (accounting), has been working with the Baker Institute for about a decade as an advisor and ultimately serving as chair of the Baker Institute Advisory Council. “Baker offers programs with no barriers to entry. If there are any perceived barriers, we have to make sure we are knocking them down,” said Friedman, the owner and founder of Alita’s Brand Bar, which provides creative strategies for brand building, licensing and promotional services for businesses. Prior to starting her own business, Friedman was chief brand officer for the popular toymaker Uglydoll. She is also an executive member of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment. “Obviously there’s still work to be done, because you have all kinds of industry groups and initiatives being formed every day around diversity and inclusion,” Friedman said. “We have to make sure women and minorities are getting the resources they need to be able to achieve their goals.” The Baker Institute must prioritize reaching women at the same rate that they are reaching men, Friedman said. She suggests advertising with sororities and highlighting successful women entrepreneurs. Most of all, Friedman said she would like to see every student, no matter their major, participate in at least one program through the Baker Institute. She recalled the vision of the institute’s namesake, Dexter Baker. “Dexter Baker’s ideal was that entrepreneurship exists in everyone, so how canwe make sure every student who enters the doors at Lehigh can get a taste of entrepreneurship and build on those skills?” Friedman asked. A LEGACY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP The late Dexter Baker was a part-time student in 1957 in Lehigh’sMBA programwhen he was challenged by one of his professors to think outside the box when crafting his thesis. Baker used the opportunity to create a plan for his employer, the gas and chemical supplier Air Products, to enter the overseas market. Baker joined Air Products in 1952 and went on to establish the company’s first international division. He was chairman of the board and CEO of the Allentown-based company when he retired in 1992. In 2010, his vision was realized as the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, Creativity & Innovation. L For the sixth year, Lehigh@ NasdaqCenter, in partnership with the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, is offering “Women in Technology & Innovation.” This course introduces students to women leaders in Silicon Valley. Taught by Samantha Walravens, an award-winning journalist and co-author of Geek Girl Rising: Inside the Sisterhood Shaking Up Tech, it explores the transformative role women play in promoting prosperity and human progress through technology and innovation. The course often serves as an entry point for students to engage in additional entrepreneurship programs and experiences. For more information, visit nasdaqcenter. lehigh.edu/student-programs/ courses. Encouraging Women Entrepreneurs AT LEH IGH “We have to make sure women and minorities are getting the resources they need to be able to achieve what they want to achieve.” –ALITA FRIEDMAN ’87 Briana Gardell ’14 ’15G shows off Goblies, the throwable paintballs she created. Gardell was the 2015 winner of the Thalheimer Grand Prize. Lehigh recognizes the leadership and accomplishments of Lehigh women and the impact of coeducation through Soaring Together, a celebration marking 50 years since the admission of undergraduate women. Read more at lehigh.edu/soaringtogether.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0OTQ5OA==