FAIRBORN — The Better Business Bureau’s Women in Business Networking program announced its Top 25 Women to Watch for this year, including three ladies who serve Wright State University.
Melanie Miller works as the program coordinator at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine; Brenda Kraner serves as the director for internships within the undergraduate programs, as well as the assistant chair in Leadership Studies and lecturer in the Organizational Leadership program at Wright State and Mary Jean Henry is the director of foundation and corporate relations for Wright State in the office of advancement.
Each said they were honored by the recognition and advised up-and-coming women get involved in the community.
“Give back and help to enrich others,” Miller said.
Before serving Wright State, Miller taught communication at Sinclair Community College and spends time volunteering, as she said she wishes to give back, and donates to varying charity groups. Miller said she is passionate about women’s health and played an essential role as the Cindy Wilde Vogel Memorial Library within the Kettering Breast Evaluation Center was developed.
She hopes to spend time mentoring other young women and make a positive impact on Boonshoft students.
“Identify your strengths and apply those to areas in your life where it adds value,” Kraner said. “You don’t have to be a part of everything, as instead decide where your strengths are best highlighted and use that to make a difference … Everyone has leadership potential within them.”
Kraner said she has a passion for helping others realize their full potential and the impact they can have in their communities. She is a national member of The Association for Talent Development and the Academy of Human Resource Development, International Leadership Association and the Academy of Management. Kraner is currently a PhD candidate at the Ohio State University, with her dissertation highlighting the connection between psychological capital, job resources and leadership style and the outcome on employee engagement.
“Knowledge is power and I believe education is the key to a fulfilling and successful life,” Henry said. ” … Have self awareness of who you are and what you want to achieve and take steps to be knowledgeable about how to achieve that.”
Henry said her role at Wright State enables her to pursue a personal passion, which is helping others be successful. A first-generation college student, Henry advises others to learn how they learn most effectively in order to accomplish anything.
Henry served a board position with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, as a senior executive advisor for the Dayton Defense Educational Foundation, as a member of Wright State’s Diversity Advisory Council and currently co-chairs a national sub-committee for the National Association of Corporate Relations Officers.
According to the Better Business Bureau’s Women in Business Networking organization, which recognized these ladies, the 2016 Class of Top 25 Women to Watch recognizes women who:
• Are outstanding as they fulfill their roles and are respected in their fields.
• Create more than a ripple in the public arena and in their communities.
• “Light a spark” or somehow make an impression.
