As the modern workplace continues to evolve, leaders must be proactive in anticipating the challenges and obstacles of tomorrow. Navigating these future changes and meeting them head-on is something SMU Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE) instructor Wendy Hultmark hopes to instill in students in SMU’s Women in Leadership: Influence and Impact certificate program.
“I enjoy the opportunity to discuss real-world challenges with the students and helping them connect theories and concepts to make practical improvements in their workplaces,” says Hultmark. “I, above all, want the students I partner with to look for the ways that the concepts we share can be used to be more effective at work.”
For more than two decades, Hultmark has passionately strived toward guiding women to leadership excellence – first as an HR leader, now as a certified executive coach. Her career has seen her work with all levels of leadership, from first-time managers to executives running up to $300 million businesses. She attained her Certified Professional Coach (CPC) certificate from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC), an International Coaching Federation (ICF) accredited program. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in organizational development and communication from Suffolk University.
In 2021, she started an executive coaching practice where she works at the intersection of learning and leadership, providing individual coaching to help leaders effectively overcome the complex challenges of today’s working world.
Finding Excellence Through Teamwork
Hultmark leads the “Cultivating Psychological Safety, Trust and Team Engagement” module in SMU’s Women in Leadership program. She leverages her career experience to provide workshops on strengthening communication, improving teamwork, and helping teams function at the highest level.
“I love being able to bring my HR perspective and empathy for leaders, who are constantly challenged with the requirements of their own managers while supporting the people in their charge,” she says.
Hultmark believes the essence of an effective leader lies in their vision and determination to foster a culture of trust within their team – all while supporting the unique career development needs and personalities of each employee they lead.
“I believe that the concepts of psychological safety, trust, and engagement can really be a leader’s secret ingredient to a uniquely successful career.”
Driving Connections to Empower Women in Leadership
The Women in Leadership certificate program also features an industry expert panel discussion with senior leaders from some of the nation’s top Fortune 500 companies, so that students can leverage insights from renowned business leaders.
“The live panel discussion never fails to be an assembly of bright minds and impressive accomplishments. The students develop the questions for the leaders, so the discussion is highly relevant and engaging from start to finish,” says Hultmark.
More than anything, the program brings together professionals and individuals from all walks of life to share perspectives and build connections. Hultmark believes making these connections is one of the most important things to leverage during the program and can lead to opportunities that wouldn’t present themselves otherwise.
At the start of the live panels, Hultmark tells her students to “take this opportunity to fully engage with your peers. They may become close friends and a valuable part of your professional network in the years to come.”
Fostering Growth and Excellence at SMU CAPE
SMU CAPE’s Women in Leadership: Influence and Impact certificate is a six-week online program designed to empower students with the skills and knowledge to become effective leaders in their industry. During the program, students will learn to develop a holistic view of their skills, strengths and personality traits to help establish themselves as an effective and influential member of an organization.
“This program is designed to meet students where they are in the workplace,” says Hultmark. “The concepts taught across all modules provide foundational tools for self-leadership that are timeless and useful at all career stages, and they bring theoretical concepts down to earth with many opportunities to apply the lessons right away.”