Forum - April 2009

Partner) working with students and young professionals — and on diversity issues — because of my experience as a Workforce Diversity Scholar.

FORUM: What was the highlight of your
scholarship year?
Slay: It was attending IOM at the Univer-
sity of Wisconsin-Madison. The week-long
program was very enriching, not just from
an educational perspective, but also
because of the networking and close ties I
developed with my classmates and group
leader. The contacts I made at IOM, the
fantastic teachers and the extremely rele-
vant curriculum helped me prepare for my
position at the Illinois CPA Society.

Katherine Torres-Hertz

Program Administrator, Medical Student Services

American Medical Association

FORUM: What goal(s) did you hope to achieve by applying to be a Forum Workforce Diversity Scholar? Were those goals met or exceeded, and if so, how? Torres-Hertz: One goal was to take advantage of the many educational sessions that the Forum hosts. I attended at least 10 different sessions, and while not all the discussions were applicable to my current position, I was able to take something away from each session. One thing I practice often is how to respond to someone who asks what I do. Many people respond by just giving their title at the association in which they work, but now I talk about how I help my members with our various opportunities.

FORUM: What was the highlight of your
scholarship year?
Torres-Hertz: It was attending the various
sessions and networking with people from
all over the association world. Having just
worked at one place for 10 years, it was
nice to learn about many different associ-
ations and the people who work in them.

Srini Varadarajan, JD

Director, Dental Care Advocacy

Academy of General Dentistry

FORUM: What goal(s) did you hope to achieve by applying to be a Forum Workforce Diversity Scholar? Were those goals met or exceeded, and if so, how? Varadarajan: I hoped to improve my networking skills and better integrate my legal skills into association management and member coordination. Thanks to the Workforce Diversity Scholarship, I have made significant inroads within the association network by participating in the Forum Honors Gala and other events. Additionally, my association’s leaders have sought my advice with greater frequency on association matters, producing successful outcomes for the leaders.

FORUM: What was the highlight of your
scholarship year?
Varadarajan: While there were many high-
lights to the scholarship year, two stand
out in particular. First was the opportunity
to participate in the Forum Honors Gala.
Second was the privilege of the friendship
of other scholars and mentors.

Patricia Turnipseed-
Hudson

Manager of Residency Programs/Inspections & Trainee Services

American College of

Osteopathic Family Physicians

FORUM: Now that your Diversity Scholar
year has come to a close, what is next for
you professionally?
Turnipseed-Hudson: I am looking forward
to getting my CAE, networking with other
Workforce Diversity Scholars and referring
other black women in the health care
industry to the Forum since I am sure
everyone is not aware of the Forum and
its educational offerings.

FORUM: What was the highlight of your
scholarship year?
Turnipseed-Hudson: It was meeting my fel-
low scholars and the Forum Honors Gala
was definitely a highlight. I think the idea
of having a mentor that is well-versed in
obtaining the CAE would be beneficial to
scholars like me who need the guidance. I
would love to get more involved in the
Forum’s diversity committee and educa-
tion sessions related to diversity — and
eventually become a mentor.