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During MBJ’s annual Super Women in Business event, each honoree is presented with a cape. Given their individual accomplishments, it seems more than apt.
Let’s consider the powers of the women superheroes in the various universes. They are, to a number, agile. They are flexible and strong. They are known for their speed and endurance. And now in its 11th year, MBJ’s Super Women in Business program recognizes the area’s most talented, innovative, and influential women.
The Super Women in Business were chosen by an MBJ editorial panel after nominations were submitted by the public. The presenting sponsor for the 2023 Super Women in Business Awards is Independent Bank. The Super Women were honored at an in-person ceremony on Thursday, April 20, at the Memphis Botanic Garden. – Susan Ellis
Krista Johnson
Executive director and founder, AllMemphis
Krista Johnson founded and is executive director of ALLMemphis, which trains educators and interventionists in the science of reading and practice of teaching literacy.
Previously, she was director of the Erika Center at Bodine School, where she worked one-on-one with children from 6 to 15 with learning disabilities in reading, writing, and mathematics. She gave personalized help with children dealing with ADHD to help improve executive functioning skills using Cogmed working memory training and behavioral intervention.
Johnson has two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Auditory Neuroscience, all from Northwestern University.
She also takes the time to regularly contribute to a number of causes and organizations.
What superpower would best equip someone entering into your profession today? A nonprofit professional has to be resilient. Our work can be challenging at times, but it is so rewarding. A person who has resilience will be able to overcome a stressful situation and maintain a positive attitude while working toward a solution.
A modern day “woman of steel” is … ? Extraordinary. She is inquisitive because part of her success is always asking questions and never settling for the status quo. She is confident in her leadership, knowing that you can only be as strong as the team behind you because you are part of the bigger picture. A “woman of steel” recognizes her kryptonite is not surrounding herself with other strong women.
What superpower would one need to possess to become your definition of a “women of steel”? Invincibility, to be undefeatable in her pursuit of knowledge and in achieving her goals.
Dr. Muneeza Khan
Chair, Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center/University Clinical Health
Dr. Muneeza Khan is the first female chair of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Department of Family Medicine. She also serves as physician leader for University Clinical Health’s quality programs housed at UT Family Medicine.
Her Super Women nominator said Khan has “played an instrumental role in building patient services at UT Family Medicine, while evaluating staff and supply costs to enhance the clinic’s financial performance.”
During the height of the pandemic, she led the shift of UT Family Medicine’s practitioners to virtual care of patients.
Khan has also implemented long-term plans for revenue efficiency at UT Family Medicine. Those efforts include inventory and supply chain management for revenue optimization and cost reduction at the practice group.
What superpower would best equip someone entering into your profession today? Resilience: the ability to face stressors and bounce back from setbacks stronger than ever.
Who was your idol when you were growing up? My father. He overcame many obstacles to become an orthopedic surgeon. He inspired and helped so many students to achieve their dreams. He was passionate about medicine and taking care of patients, especially the underserved. He was dedicated to his students and ensuring their success. The respect he received from his students and colleagues was inspirational. He was selfless and cared about everyone in the community. He never compromised his values and lived every day trying to better himself and the people around him. He was a great husband/dad and was always there for his family.
What superpower would one need to possess to become your definition of a “woman of steel”? Face challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Shift your mindset so that you can have a solution-focused approach in the face of adversity.
Jessica Lotz
Executive director, Innovate Memphis
In her former role as director of research and performance management for Memphis-Shelby County Schools, Jessica Lotz made a significant impact. And she’s already making a difference in her current position.
In August 2022, Lotz started as executive director of Innovate Memphis, a nonprofit that designs, incubates, and sustains solutions to address long-standing civic challenges in the Memphis community. It connects the dots between public and private sectors and creates tactical strategies and collaborative opportunities. Her needs-driven research and program development experience have been assets.
Her community involvement, however, isn’t limited to her job. Lotz has also served on Playhouse on the Square’s board for eight years and is currently its president.
What superpower would best equip someone entering into your profession today? I believe the most important thing you do is always the next thing you do. That applies to pushing beyond the status quo, finding consensus where there’s conflict, and breaking down big challenges into manageable steps. No one can solve everything at once, but you can always do something meaningful when you focus on one next step at a time that leads in the right direction.
A modern day “woman of steel” is … ? Resilient
What superpowers would one need to possess to become your definition of a “woman of steel”? Being resilient is the ability to accept that change takes time and usually many attempts and different strategies to get it right with the buy-in needed. Most of the time, change happens because there’s a handful of people who keep trying in the face of competing priorities or apathy until everyone else sees the level of your commitment and your progress. Another way I think about resilience is in recognizing your limits and honoring the need to recharge, so that you can give your best when it matters. No matter how relentless you need to be to make change, you can only sustain it if you take care of yourself and make sure your team takes care of themselves as a matter of routine.
Mary “MJ” McConner
Founder and principal consultant, Inclusive Excellence Consulting
Mary “MJ” McConner, Ph.D., is an entrepreneur and expert in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Her 14-year career includes multiple roles in higher education.
In 2021, McConner founded Inclusive Excellence Consulting, which is a full-service DEI consultancy. She serves a range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, professional associations, higher education institutions, and nonprofits.
The services that Inclusive Excellence Consulting offers includes workshops and training; strategy development; organizational culture and climate assessments; equity audits; and one-on-one DEI coaching.
Her Super Women nominator wrote, “Navigating the workforce as a Black neurodivergent woman, who is hard of hearing, has allowed MJ to experience firsthand the importance of centering equity, accessibility, and inclusion in organizational systems, cultures, and practices for leading individuals and companies in Memphis.”
What superpower would best equip someone entering into your profession today? Empathic listening is a superpower every DEI practitioner must possess. Everyone is unique. Everyone has different identities and lived experiences that shape how they perceive and experience the world. We should always seek to understand others through empathic listening.
Who was your idol when you were growing up? Harriet Tubman. She represents wisdom and bravery. Harriet could have easily said, “I made it,” after first arriving North. However, she took the courageous path of emancipating and helping others. We should all strive to help and serve others.
What superpower would one need to possess to become your definition of a “woman of steel”? The ability to show herself and others grace. Women of steel are goal-oriented and ambitious, and sometimes we can be our own biggest critics if something doesn’t work out as planned. However, we have to always remember to show ourselves compassion.
Lydia Rosencrants
Dean, School of Business, Christian Brothers University
For almost two years, Lydia Rosencrants has served as dean of the School of Business at Christian Brothers University. Among Rosencrants’ responsibilities: collaborating with partners and community members, reimagining and assessing curricula and offerings, advocating for the School of Business faculty, and looking for new opportunities and funding for initiatives.
She does work in the community as well, serving as a member of the National Leadership Council for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and a board member of Georgia-based nonprofit New Ventures, which provides employment opportunities for those having difficulties finding a job.
What superpower would best equip someone entering into your profession today? Anyone coming into higher ed right now needs multiple superpowers! But I would suggest that innovation would be the most important. Universities must change, and the pace of change is dizzying. Leaders need to be innovative to meet the needs of today’s learners.
A modern day “woman of steel” is … ? One who is less concerned with her own image or career path and more concerned with making a positive difference in the community. Women are raised to be very cognizant of what other people think about them. Many of us are taught to be “people pleasers” at an early age. To break out of that prison and be more concerned about one’s part in God’s plan takes a great deal of steel.
What superpowers would one need to possess to become your definition of a “woman of steel”? Faith, courage, compassion, and love. I suppose these are less exciting than flying and invisibility, but they are sure needed!
