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Editor:
Diana Seden)uist
Designer: Sheri Lee
F o r u m
f o r
A l l
W o m e n
Advanced Technology, Environmental
Stewardship, and the Future of the Automobile
An Evening with Stanford Alumna Susan E. Docherty,
General Manager, Western Region, General Motors Corporation
A
s the “green”
movement
gains
importan ce
and
momentum in the
United States and
around the world, we
are pleased to invite
you to join us on
April 15 at Pinot
Bistro in Studio City
to hear Stanford
Alumna
Susan
Docherty discuss her
work with General
Motors.
Susan is dedicated to transforming the public perception of
GM as a traditional automotive company to a legitimate
leader in alternative fuel solutions and electric vehicle
technologies. Susan will discuss GM’s commitment to
addressing the environmental and energy challenges that
we face in California, throughout the nation, and
worldwide. Highlighting GM’s manufacturing facilities,
public policy efforts, and “Gas Friendly to Gas Free”
vehicles, Ms. Docherty will explain how GM is working to
“take the automobile out of the environmental equation.”
!"#$% '( )*+,-./0 was named General Manager of GM’s
Western Region in 2006. More than 22 years ago,
Docherty began her career working midnights at a
Canadian transmission plant in Windsor, Ontario. She
worked her way through the ranks of the male dominated
automotive industry, and after working in four different
countries, Docherty now leads the sales, service,
April 2008
marketing, and distribution efforts in the region’s 16 states,
including Alaska and Hawaii, covering 2.2 million square
miles, in which more than 1000 GM dealers are located.
Susan was appointed General Manager of HUMMER in
2004 and was responsible for marketing, sales,
distribution, dealer development, and management of the
HUMMER brand worldwide, and launched the smaller,
more fuel-efficient, H3. Prior to that assignment, she was
the Marketing Director for Cadillac, and she was
responsible for launching the Escalade family of sport
utilities. As a result of successfully running the Escalade
Brand she was given additional responsibility for Cadillac
brands DeVille, Seville, Eldorado, and Professional
vehicles (limousines and armored versions). She was
brought to Cadillac after working four years in Europe.
In 2004, Susan graduated from Stanford University as
a Sloan Fellow with Distinction with a Master of Science
degree in management. As a native of Canada, she earned
two undergraduate degrees from the University of
Windsor — a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing and a
Bachelor of Arts in economics.
Tuesday, April @A, %&&'
BC.& D EC.& p.m.
1C&& Dinner, 'C&& Presentation
Pinot Bistro
12969 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
Page 1
PRESIDENT
Marie Williams Shipman ‘78
President’s Message
[email protected]
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Lisa Clark ‘86
I would like to encourage you all to consider joining the SPWLA Board.
Serving on the Board provides a great way to get to know other
SPWLA members, and it’s a lot of fun. When I served on the programs
committee, I had the opportunity to try out several restaurants that
I was interested in. If you have some great ideas or would just like to
help a great organization, please let me or past president Linda
Christie know. The experience is well worth the time commitment.
If you haven’t yet donated to our Community Service Fellowship fund
which pays for a Stanford student’s summer internship in Los Angeles,
you still have time to do so. If you contribute $50 or more, you will be
invited to our annual brunch this summer where we meet our fellowship
recipient and her family. The brunch is always enjoyable and
delicious.
!
PAST PRESIDENT
Linda Christie ‘85, MA ‘87
[email protected]
%&&1 D %&&' BJA#D MLMBL#S
I am really excited about this month’s
meeting! It is wonderful that a woman is
Marie Williams Shipman
the western region general manager for
General Motors. The auto industry always
seemed to be such a bastion of masculinity.
How did she do it? We are honored to have Susan Docherty join us on
April 15 for what promises to be a lively and informative discussion.
I am especially pleased that Susan will address alternative energy
vehicles -- a real interest of mine. I looove my hybrid, but are hybrids
the answer? Apparently, GM is exploring different technologies rather
than just one alternative. What will our cars be like in the future? This
is going to be a great meeting at one of my favorite restaurants, Pinot
Bistro in Studio City.
TREASURER
Patti Louie MS ‘85
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Lisa Lawrence JD ‘05
[email protected]
HOSPITALITY
Jacki Williams-Jones ‘76, MA ‘77
[email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS NEWSLETTER
Diana Sedenquist ‘84
[email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS WEB
Jean Shi ‘03
[email protected]
MEMBERSHIP/DATABASE
Neville Anderson ‘97
W
L
A
[email protected]
STUDENT RELATIONS
Carrie Kim ‘86
[email protected]
PROGRAMS CHAIR
Robin Mackenroth ‘87
S
P
[email protected]
PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
Jeanne Wanlass ‘90
[email protected]
Lisa Tsou ‘94
[email protected]
Madeline Field ‘85
[email protected]
SPWLA Board Meeting — March 2008
From left to right: Madeline Field, Lisa Clark, Marie Williams Shipman,
Neville Anderson, Jean Shi, Jacki Williams-Jones, Jeanne Wanlass, Robin
Mackenroth
Photograph by Diana Sedenquist
Page 2
INFORMATION RESOURCES
Barbara Levenson ‘84
[email protected]!
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
April 2008
A Six-Word Memoir — and You!
O
n March 5, while listening to the radio in
my car, I heard an interview that KPCC’s Pat
Morrison was conducting with two authors who
were responsible for a book entitled, Not Quite
What I Was Planning — Six-Word Memoirs by
Writers Famous & Obscure. The book is an
amusing — and often poignant — collection of
life stories told in six words by a variety of
contributors, some well known, others less well
known. Ernest Hemingway wrote, "For Sale:
Baby shoes, never worn." A nine year old girl
wrote: “Cursed with cancer. Blessed with
friends.” Nora Ephron added: "Secret of life:
marry an Italian."
Another person wrote,
"Scratched my way out of Tennessee." And a
woman who had long wanted children, adopted a
baby, and then became pregnant herself summed
it up this way: "Adopted a baby, got instant
family." When I stopped at a red light, I reached
for a pad of paper and jotted down a few of my
own six-word memoirs. Ideas came tumbling out,
happy and sad both. It was a fun and interesting
exercise, and I thought it would be enjoyable and
enlightening to invite all of you to take part as
well. If several of you send a response, I will
compile all of our six-word life stories and print
them here in our newsletter. I hope you will take
me up on my offer — the more the merrier!
!" California bred, French bread, Dorsey sweetheart.
—Jacki Williams-Jones
!" Eat gourmet, Pray daily, Love California.
—Neville Anderson
!" Unintentionally forgot to marry and procreate.
—Diana Sedenquist
If you would like to read more six-word life
stories, visit this web site: www.smithmag.net/sixwords/
And then share your own six-word memoir with
us. Please do not dawdle — I would like to
include this feature in next month’s newsletter.
You are welcome to include a little backstory
with your six-word memoir (e.g. the woman who
adopted a baby and then became pregnant), and
photos are always a nice addition. You also are
welcome to send just the six-word memoir
without any supportive materials.
Hope to hear from you shortly!
Diana Sedenquist ([email protected])
Editor
To whet your appetite for this assignment, here
are six-word memoirs from some of our Board
members. Even if you don’t consider yourself a
writer, you will probably enjoy this exercise.
Which six words best describe your life to
date?
!" With
age
comes
wisdom and botox.
—Barbara Levenson
!" Great guy, interesting business, big dogs.
—Marie Williams Shipman
Photograph by Diana Sedenquist
April 2008
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
Page 3
SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE!
SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE!
UPCOMING SPWLA EVENTS
Saturday,
April 5, 2008
Union Station. A walking tour of beautiful Union Station in downtown LA with the Los
Angeles Conservancy. We will meet at 10 a.m. at the information counter. After the tour,
we will have lunch.
Saturday,
May 17, 2008
Kristie Lilje.
Saturday,
May 31, 2008
Day at the Races. SPWLA celebrates our 30th anniversary at Hollywood Park. Family and
friends are welcome.
Sunday,
June 8, 2008
Ojai Music Festival. Join us in Ojai for music, lunch, and a great excuse to get out of town!
Thursday,
June 19, 2008
Summer Solstice. Celebrate Summer Solstice with SPWLA when we meet for cocktails at
the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on Avenue of the Stars. Details TBD.
Flower Mart. A visit to the Flower Mart in downtown Los Angeles with SPWLA member
A D ay a t t h e R a c e s
Saturday, May 31
SPWLA will celebrate our
30th anniversary on Saturday,
May 31, at Hollywood Park.
We will meet in the elegant
Gold Cup Restaurant on the
fifth floor (perched above the
Turf Terrace), enjoy a
delicious lunch, and watch
the races in VIP comfort.
Family and friends are welcome.
Save the date.
Ojai Music Festival
June 5-8, 2008
On Sunday, June 8, SPWLA will travel to Ojai to
experience the world-renowned Ojai Music Festival
in its 62nd year. We will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the
Will Call window at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai to attend
a concert featuring Steve Reich, Nexus, and
So Percussion. The program offers musical textures,
rhythms, and layers with two groundbreaking Etudes
by Ligeti, Varese's iconic percussion work Ionisation,
and Steve Reich's masterpiece, Drumming. After the
concert, we will enjoy a Harvest Luncheon at the
Lavender Inn from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. — a Slow Food
Ojai special featuring locally grown seasonal fruits and
vegetables created by local Slow Food members,
chefs, and bakers. For those of you who would like to
drive up earlier, attend more of the musical offerings,
and spend the night, we will provide suggestions for
lodging. You may sign up now using the RSVP
coupon in this newsletter. Registration
must be received by April 15.
A n E a r l y M o r n i n g Tr i p t o t h e F l owe r M a r t
Saturday, May 17
SPWLA member Kristie Lilje will provide a personal tour of the largest flower market in the
United States. Located mostly on Wall Street between Seventh and Eighth streets, virtually
every variety of fresh cut flower can be found for rock bottom prices, plus potted plants and
floral supplies. We will meet at 8:00 a.m. in front of Moskatel’s, a supply store that is separate
from the flower market. Look for the large sign. 738 So. Wall Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014.
There are several parking lots available. For directions, follow this link:
www.laflowerdistrict.com/map.asp. After the tour, we will have brunch at a nearby restaurant.
You may sign up now using the RSVP coupon in this newsletter.
Page 4
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
April 2008
Spring Regionals Recap
March 18, 2008
Our Spring Regional meetings provide a wonderful way to relax over a nice dinner with SPWLA friends. The
Pasadena/Altadena gathering in Michele Judd’s home (which I attended) was a delight. Michele and co-host Lisa
Clark prepared a delicious meal (see menu), and conversation and laughter flowed freely. We also enjoyed our
“assigned” topic of the evening: a review of favorite SPWLA events to date and programming ideas for the
future. We all will benefit next year thanks to a beautiful spring evening in Altadena.
Many thanks to the other Spring Regional hosts across Los Angeles who graciously opened their homes and fed us
very well indeed: Barbara Levin in West LA (who served a delightful meal to 14 SPWLA members), Gloria Woehler
in Hancock Park (who gave her appreciative guests lemons and kumquats from her fruit trees), and Carrie Kim in the
Valley. All reports indicate everyone had a lovely time. For those of you who missed the fun in March, we will have
our Fall Regionals in September.
- Diana Sedenquist
Lisa Clark (left)
and Michele Judd
Left to right: May Ann Shemdin, Robin Mackenroth,
Roxanne Chong
Left to right: Annabelle
Rea, Felicia Williams
Photographs by Diana Sedenquist
April 2008
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
Page 5
SPWLA MEMBERS’ ALMANAC
ACTIVITIES AND ADVENTURES OF NOTE
Suzanne Lee, Former SPWLA Board Member and Current SPWLA Member
Asa Lee Stratmann, born 8:51 p.m. PST 02/08/2008.
Suzanne Lee and her husband Erich Stratmann are the
newly minted parents of baby girl Asa Lee Stratmann, born
February 8, 2008. “Though my husband, a Yale alumnus,
and I have already debated whether Asa will be Stanford
or Yale Class of 2030, for the time being we are busy
feeling our way through these early days of parenthood,”
Suzanne said. “Nothing compares to giving birth to, and
nurturing, another life. We’re still figuring out how to juggle
two demanding careers but, for now, we are sending more
calls to voicemail, and not instantly responding to every
email in order to savor the incomparable joy and wonder
of a newborn.” Suzanne adds: “Any helpful strategies or
tips on balancing work and parenthood are greatly
appreciated!” ([email protected])
Asa Lee Stratmann
Kimberly Yang, SPWLA Member and Stanford West Side Book Club Leader
A Memorable Sierra Club Hike. Kimberly Yang ’93
became engaged to Alex White on February 22, 2008.
Kimberly is Administrative Director of the League of
Women Voters of Los Angeles. Alex, a graduate of
Washington University in St. Louis, is an engineer at Agile
Communications. The couple met on a hike organized by
the Sierra Club 20s & 30s Singles Section and by the
Outdoors Club in July 2005.
To all SPWLA Members: We would like to hear from
you as life offers up its joys and surprises. Send us
your items of interest and we will share them with the
group. Contact newsletter editor, Diana Sedenquist,
[email protected].
April 2008
Kimberly Yang and Alex White
at the wedding of
Ayanna Bennett Meyers ‘93,
where Kimberly was a bridesmaid
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
Page 6
EVENT DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
RESERVATION FORM: “Susan L. Docherty” — Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Name
Phone
6:30 — 9:30 p.m.
e-mail address:
(Home)
Please choose one entrée:
(Work)
Members
& Guests
! Pork Chop Milanese with cherry
tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula
!""Pan Roasted Chicken Breast, creamy
polenta, and wild mushrooms
!""Vegetarian
X $55.00 = $
name
Non-Members
X $60.00 = $
name
Donation to SPWLA’s Community Service Fellowship
TJTAL
=$
=$
Due to venue reservation requirements, refunds are not available.
#egistration by mail must be received no later than Saturday, April @%, %&&'
Deadline to register online using PayPalC Saturday, April @%, %&&'
Make your check payable to SPWLA and contact Sacki WilliamsTSones
for more informationC [email protected]
RESERVATION FORM: “Flower Mart” — Saturday, May 17, 2008
Name
Phone
8:00 a.m.
e-mail address:
(Home)
(Work)
W@.&& Admission Xpay at the door when you arriveY
"
! Ves, / will be Zoining you at the Flower Mart
Meet at 8:00 a.m. in front of Moskatel’s: 738 So. Wall Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014.
There are several parking lots available.
To register for this event, contact Sacki WilliamsTSonesC [email protected]
Vour registration by mail must be received byC Monday, May @%, %&&'
RESERVATION FORM: “JZai Music Festival” — Sunday, June 8, 2008
Name
Phone
10:30 a.m.
e-mail address:
(Home)
(Work)
W@B.&& [oncert Xlawn seatingY W\B.&& Slow Food luncheon
TJTAL [JST WB%.&&
#egistration by mail must be received no later than Tuesday, April @A, %&&'
Deadline to register online using PayPalC Tuesday, April @A, %&&'
Make your check payable to SPWLA and contact Sacki WilliamsTSones
for more informationC [email protected]
April 2008
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
Page 7
Stanford Professional Women
of Los Angeles [ounty
A 1orum for All Women
WL’ #L
w w w. s p w l a . c o m
$4000 Fellowship
3750
3500
3250
3000
2750
2500
2250
2000
1750
1500
1250
1000
750
500
250
0
Yes! I Want to Help a Stanford Student
Gain Work Experience in Los Angeles.
I support SPWLA’s commitment to fund fellowships for deserving
undergraduate Stanford women who wish to devote
their summer to community service.
Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of:
" $ 50
" $ 75
Other _________
All contributions are greatly appreciated.
#"
Make your check payable to SPWLA and contact Neville Anderson
for more information: [email protected]
Page 8
JN THL WLB
SPWLA’s Community
Service Fellowship 2007/08
Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles Newsletter
April 2008