Name: Elissa Sangster
Job Title and Description: Executive Director of Forté Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing women with access to business education and opportunities
Website: www.ForteFoundation.org
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
ES: No, there’s never a typical day and that’s what makes my job fun and different. There’s always something new going on—like critical thinking about strategic issues. I think it’s a very multifaceted job. I do a lot of talking and listening. I feel like a lot of it comes about from your ability to persuade. Those are the critical skills that you need.
What inspired you to join Forté Foundation?
ES: I spent the earlier part of my career in higher education. I was involved with getting Forté started, and it was a group of companies and schools talking about how to build a non-profit organization that could address women in leadership positions. It was kind of a leap but it was very much an entrepreneurial decision. I was going to continue what I had been doing in my past career just with a different lens, but at the same time it was very risky as there was no money in the bank to support me. Some fun challenges, a little bit scary.
What is the best part of your job?
ES: Probably working with women because I’m able to see on a regular basis and at Forté events, the effects of our work. Were it not for Forté, they would not have even met that group of women who were similarly inspired or motivated career wise. We have a college to business leadership conference that provides college women with access to companies and business schools. That’s very motivating and encouraging to me, and makes me want to do more to help.
Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?
ES: The first person I worked with at Forté was Edie Hunt. She was my board chair and she came on right about the time I came on as executive director. She ran human capital management for Goldman Sachs. She had a lot of respect in the industry and everyone was willing to open their doors and talk with us. She was around to help me, be my mentor, guide me and open doors that would’ve been difficult without her. She’s so passionate about our mission. When she finally finished her board tenure, we named an award in her honor. She’s actually just rejoined the Forté board. I can’t say enough good things about her.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
ES: I make a lot of mistakes, and I don’t dwell a lot on them. I try to make sure that the mistakes end up being small. I try to move forward and rework something and come up with a new plan and strategy that will make up for the mistake and still move us forward. That’s my general approach.
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
ES: I think I’ve just found myself in places where I didn’t expect. Through Forté, because it is an international organization, I’ve met amazing people and had great conversations. I go to the Forbes Women’s Summit every year where there are celebrities and amazing people. I’ve been interviewed and had my picture in the Wall Street Journal twice. Crazy things like that I never thought would happen in my career.
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
ES: Take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) if you have any interest at all in business. I think it’s important for women to take standardized tests before they graduate from college! You take the GMAT and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and have it in your back pocket so you don’t have to worry about that in the future.