They’re Smart. They’re Successful. They’re Connected.

In my new book, More than 85 Broads, I introduce the inspiring stories of the extraordinary women of 85 Broads, the independent network community I founded in 1999 for current and former women professionals of investment banking powerhouse Goldman Sachs (headquartered at 85 Broad Street in New York). Today 85 Broads reaches across cultures, time zones, career paths and generations to connect and empower over 10,000 members globally – including women at the world’s leading graduate business schools and undergraduate campuses through the network’s unique “Broad2Broad” and “Broad2Be” co-mentoring partnerships. More than 85 Broads offers invaluable insights into making career and life decisions, creating a “strength” network, managing motherhood, achieving success in male-dominated professions, and following your true passions …all with a little help from your friends!

In the chapters that follow, you will hear the stories of women who have had luck, success, failure, sadness, happiness, doubts, triumphs, depression, and everything else in between. They come from different cultures, different backgrounds, and different economic circumstances. What they all have in common is a keen desire to share their stories so that other women will “recognize” their voices. They are some of the smartest, hardest working women on the planet. They are a gutsy bunch. And most of all, they are unique.

Being a visionary often comes from asking simple questions and finding your own answers, and then being open to having everything change as a result. The women in this chapter have truly moved beyond the safety zones—and often the constraints—of societal, cultural, economic, and familial status quos by finding their own unique answers to questions that others simply accept as reality.

The other thing that the visions of all these extraordinary women have in common is a unique sense of community. Whether it is a community they are building or changing or redefining, each of their visions revolves around how they are connected with others and how these connections can create positive change. Will you be inspired to be a visionary after reading about these extraordinary women?

For the women featured in this chapter, and throughout our network, being an “ambassador” is not a one-way street—it’s not about being on a mission or crusade to spread a view. While being an ambassador often starts with a journey of self-exploration, it really involves travelling beyond yourself, your own views, and your own reality. Ambassadors, whatever their age, profession, or personal profile, understand how to tap into diversity in ways that strengthen the bonds of community while respecting and even celebrating our dramatic differences.

The power of the network and the power of the story are two things that ambassadors really “get”: how to be different but connected at the same time; how to listen to the stories and understand the unique perspectives of others, but at the same time to take clear action in creating positive change within their own lives, companies, and cultures. Have you ever served as an ambassador?

If you look up officer in the dictionary, one of the definitions you’ll find is “someone who holds an office of authority or trust.” These remarkable women have learned to exercise their authority to create the greatest common good, and they have earned the trust, respect, and loyalty of those around them—classmates, cadets, colleagues, and all the members of our global network. They most definitely are officers.

These women are also leaders. The women in this chapter have embraced, not just accepted, leadership in every way imaginable and used their incredible experiences to move forward—into business school, professional and managerial positions, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and in some cases further service in the military. In many ways these women display the character traits reflected in the stories of this book: they are at once trailblazers, adventurers, entrepreneurs, parents, givers, survivors, ambassadors, visionaries, and rockets. Do you know an officer you’d like to tell us about?

Following your own “destiny” is at the heart of the adventurer. One of the most powerful and courageous voices any of us can listen to is our own, but it is often the one that many women spend the least time cultivating and tuning into as we yield to the demands and perceived “boundaries” of our professional and personal lives. But this is not the case for adventurers. For them, pushing beyond those boundaries is what defines their destiny and creates their passion.

 The women of this chapter are prepared to take risks – whether climbing mountains, running races, starting new businesses, or raising children. They each share the adventurer’s courageous spirit, sense of community, positive mindset, work ethic, dedication to values, and attitude – all in pursuit of the destiny they have defined for themselves. Most of all they want to leave a legacy, something that outlasts the adventure itself. They want to create something that helps and empowers others—something that passes the torch to the next generation of adventurers. Do you want to share your adventurer story?

Have you thought about your future? Do you have a career path in mind?

Young women today are redefining what it takes for companies to recruit and retain them. I see too many young women who are caught between careers and honestly don’t know what they’re supposed to do next. So start your career with exit strategies already in mind. And take charge of your career education: learn the skills that are useful to have in business your first year, not three or four years later.

Young women are opting out of one-dimensional career tracks in favor of opportunities that can be truly integrated with how they want to live their lives and pursue their passions for the next four to five decades, not just the next four to five years. These women are trailblazers, defining success on their own terms and acting entrepreneurially, which allows them to better integrate their lives, careers, families, friends, and passions in a way that is uniquely their own.

To make an impact in your chosen career path, it also helps to have a platform. College gives you a platform to do so many different things and expand in so many different directions. But once you leave the college cocoon, you are responsible for creating platforms for yourself. Finding yourself, your own voice, and your own happiness is a collective, not an individual, act. Join a professional organization, volunteer, and surround yourself with smart and passionate people to connect with and make your voice heard.

Blaze your own trail, be a visionary, read the end first, find your own voice, and most importantly, always remember to define success on your own terms.

No one can doubt the joys of motherhood, but when you are a woman who is used to a fast paced life in the business world it can be hard to figure out the balance between taking care of your child and taking care of yourself. You’re not alone! Six hip, young moms in our network will share their strategies on how to stay sane and enjoy almost every moment of motherhood while trying to manage sleep deprivation and wanting to go back to work.

Natalie Barth

Natalie was in investment banking at Morgan Stanley for the last 5 years and received her Bachelors of Science from Georgetown and her MBA from HBS. She is the proud mother of two infant twin boys.

“Life, post having the babies, has been very scheduled...you have to think ahead. For example, to speak on a panel you need to plan the babysitter. You are needed 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For me that’s times two! It is very different then just going to bed and saying goodnight to your spouse. Somebody could cry or need a diaper changed at any moment, but it is still fabulous!"

Katie Hood

Katie Hood is Vice President, Research Programs at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Ms. Hood joined the Foundation in September 2002. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Hood worked at Bain & Company in New York City, focusing on consumer products, financial services, and nonprofit sectors. She has also served as an analyst in the Credit Department of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Ms. Hood graduated from Harvard Business School, and holds a BA in Publc Policy Studies from Duke University. She is the mother of 4 ½ month old.

“Obviously life changes when you have a baby. However, I am still a full time working mom, I love being a working mom, I am fully aware that I miss little things with him everyday but I also found a great nanny and know that she is fantastic for him.”

“The one word of encouragement for those about to have babies is that though you are knocked on your butt for the first few weeks and everything is on its head, they do eventually sleep and that makes everything better.”

Simi Sanni

Simi is very passionate about working with children. Most recently she worked as a summer associate at Nickelodeon. After receiving her BA from Mount Holyoke College, she went on to work for Goldman Sachs. Following her GS stint she began a non-profit promoting the achievement of women in Nigeria, her native country. She is the mother of one child and is expecting her second in 2006.

“I knew I wanted to work with kids hence nickelodeon, but even beyond that I am still trying to figure out what is my purpose in addition to being a mom and a wife. I know that I have a purpose somewhere and I think having a baby starts to make you think you like that.”

“I have been very lucky as a working mother. I have been able to work and not feel guilty because I have a great partner and that does make it easier. So for those of you not married and thinking about it, that is something you need to look into because it is something that will define you as a mother.  If you are always stressed out or harassed it wont be a pleasant experience.”

Danielle Chang

Danielle Chang is both an entrepreneur and a business associate. She is the Founder, Publisher and Editorial Director of Simplicity, a woman’s lifestyle magazine distributed in 26 countries. As a journalist, Danielle began her career at The New York Times, produced segments for PBS’ CityArts and has published and spoken extensively about contemporary culture. In the early to mid 1990’s, Danielle worked in the art world where she founded ArtWalk, curated shows by emerging artists and worked as an art dealer at Andrea Rosen and Jeffrey Deitch galleries. After earning her Masters degree in Critical Theory from Columbia University, she also became a Professor of contemporary art history. Her career has been profiled on the cover of USA Today, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, CNN and other media outlets. She was named as Working Woman’s “20 under 30: The Ones to Watch” in 2000 as well as one of the top media executives under 30 by Folio. Danielle recently moved back to NY after spending two years in the Bay Area where she was working for her family’s business and had two babies. Her girls, Clarissa and Colette, are now 6 months old and 2 years old.

“I love motherhood and my kids but it’s not enough.  Like everyone else here I am very ambitious. I feel like my whole identity was so much my career before my two children and now I feel boxed in by that.”

Carrie Freeman Braddock

Carrie is currently a full-time MBA student at Columbia along with being a full-time mother at home. She has previously worked at Goldman Sachs and various non-profit organizations such as the Robin Hood Foundation. She received her BA from Dartmouth.

“I have a few quick strategies that I was thinking about that keep me sane. I try not to make too many weeknight plans. I used to be a lot more social and I feel that if you are gone all day there are trade offs you have to make and the ones I have made have been social. I try not to do school and baby at the same time. The times I do go crazy are when I have Sophie on my lap and using email at the same time. I also try to build in as much separation as I can so its quality time at home and quality time at school. Also being ok with giving up some control and not try to micro manage everything in my life including my husband. There were identity issues I was worried about but I really haven't had any time to think about them.”

Dulcie Lin

Dulcie is currently a real estate broker with the Corcoran Group. Earlier, she spent nine years, most recently as a Vice President, at Goldman Sachs. She received a BA in Economics at Columbia College. While working full-time, she alsoearned her MBA at Columbia Business School, as well as her New York realestate license. Dulcie is the mother of a 16-month old daughter, Lara Rain.

“I think as she gets older there is a lot more scheduling involved…classes, play dates, and trying to arrange my social schedule to mesh with hers. The trade off has been early brunches on the weekends with friends and you are guaranteed that nobody in the city is waiting for a seat for brunch at 9:00am.”