Senior girls become first high school members of women's online network

Charlotte Parker '08

85 Broads is a network for female business professionals that was started in 1999 by 14-year Goldman Sachs veteran Janet Hanson.

At the first Women of Deerfield Alumnae Weekend this September, Ms. Hanson spoke about 85 Broads to an enthusiastic audience of current and former Deerfield girls. She then invited all current seniors to become members of "Broad2Be," as the first high school women to join the network.

Cristina Liebolt '06 attended the women's meeting and is now a member of 85 Broads. Through the network, she has found a possible summer internship.

"It's just so easy to contact people," she said. "There are so many powerful, successful women."

An idea central to 85 Broads is co-mentoring: the equal exchange of ideas and advice between older and younger women. One of the best things about the network, said Liebolt, is that "older women learn to learn from younger women." Ms. Hanson feels that is important for women to dispel professional competition and simply help each other out.

The network, originally only for current and former Goldman Sachs professionals, was expanded in 2000 with Broad2Broad, a "co-mentoring" program for women in business school. By 2004, Broad2Be, a similar network for female students at the nation's top undergraduate schools, was created.

As members of 85 Broads, women become part of the network's online member database. Using the website, one may search other members' profiles, find job opportunities, ask for business advice, and give critical feedback. Most importantly, the online network facilitates sharing ideas and connecting with like-minded women.

"We support our members in achieving success and purpose in their professional and personal lives. The power of collaboration among women at all career stages defines our network. We connect our members to one another, inspire them to pursue their passions, and empower them to become leaders who make a difference in the world," says the mission statement of 85 Broads.

"Networking is critical at any age," said Beth Salovaara, a former Goldman Sachs professional. She added that within the network, "Some of the older women could answer questions about their children's experiences at particular schools and obviously some of the younger women could speak directly about their own recent experiences as graduates. [It] will also help with summer employment connections and community service opportunities."

For more information on 85 Broads and its daughter networks, www.85broads.com includes answers to FAQs and news updates.

As published in the January 2, 2006 issue of the Deerfield Scroll, the monthly newspaper of Deerfield Academy.