Women in Leadership: Influence & Impact

Module 1: Leadership Starts From Within

Kara Schillaci is a career and executive coach and principal of Next Step Consulting + Coaching, where she helps professionals clarify their goals, pursue new opportunities and lead with purpose. As a certified Inside Edge Coach and SMU alumnus, Kara brings both organizational and individual perspectives to career development.

Kara’s coaching work builds on 20 years of experience in leadership development, during which she led recruiting, learning and development and talent management initiatives for global organizations including PepsiCo and Rexel. Her leadership development teams have earned 10 Brandon Hall Awards for creating programs with measurable results, reflecting her experience helping organizations and professionals navigate growth and change. Drawing on this background in coaching, talent strategy and organizational transformation, Kara helps learners strengthen their leadership skills, make intentional career decisions and approach professional growth with greater confidence. 

Module 2: Developing Strategic Insights—From Staff to C-Suite

Mina Shams is an HR leader with more than 30 years of experience across the health care, biotechnology and defense industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s certificate in HR management from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

In 2018, Mina founded OH Consulting to provide senior leaders with strategic guidance on human capital and functional operations. Drawing on her experience in HR leadership and organizational strategy, Mina helps learners understand how thoughtful people practices can strengthen culture, support business goals and drive long-term organizational success.

Module 3: Communicating for Influence

Libby Magliolo is a business communications professional who helps individuals turn complex ideas into clear, compelling presentations. She holds a Master of Business Administration from SMU Cox and is the founder of The Slide Master, where she works with professionals to strengthen their visual storytelling and presentation skills.

Libby’s work draws on experience at PwC and Southwest Airlines, as well as her role as a professor at SMU’s Cox School of Business, where she teaches business communication. Through practical, hands-on techniques, she helps learners create presentations that engage audiences and support their professional growth.

Module 3: Communicating for Influence

Laura Wooten is a strategic problem solver, consultant, marketer and coach with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations turn ideas and expertise into sustainable revenue opportunities. Laura holds a master’s degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.

Laura's consulting work spans strategic planning, process improvement, marketing and communication for small and midsize businesses, nonprofits and corporate clients. She also teaches professional education courses, facilitates team-building sessions and leads webinars on writing and marketing. Through this work, Laura helps learners build the strategic thinking, communication and problem-solving skills they need to advance their careers and contribute meaningfully within their organizations. 

Module 4: Cultivating Psychological Safety, Trust, and Team Engagement

 Wendy Hultmark, CPC, ACC, is a certified executive coach with more than 20 years of experience in human resources and leadership development. She earned her Certified Professional Coach credential through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, an International Coaching Federation-accredited program, and holds a master’s degree in organizational development and communication from Suffolk University.

After beginning her career as an HR leader, Wendy moved into executive coaching, supporting leaders at every stage of their careers, from first-time managers to executives leading multimillion-dollar businesses. In the classroom, she helps learners strengthen the self-awareness, communication skills and confidence needed to lead with greater purpose and impact.

Module 5: Influence Through Coaching, Mentorship and Sponsorship

Mignon Early is a registered nurse and former health care executive with more than 25 years of experience in the nephrology industry. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Drexel University and has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years.

Before retiring from Fresenius Medical Care, Mignon held senior leadership roles including regional vice president, group vice president, general manager and vice president of clinical quality, where she led teams and supported improvements in patient care and clinical operations. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Drexel’s graduate nursing program, where she brings her clinical and leadership experience to future nursing professionals. Mignon’s instruction emphasizes leadership, mentorship and practical decision-making, helping learners build the confidence and skills needed to pursue their goals and lead effectively in health care settings.