For the past two years, Executive Director Mical Traynor has been standing at the helm of CWLI. Focusing on growing the member base, she enthusiastically attended events, served as a mentor for many, and a guiding voice as new initiatives and strategies took off. This week, her tenure as our fearless leader comes to an end. We took a moment to sit down with her to discuss her time with us and her hopes for the future of this organization.

What has been your favorite part about leading CWLI?

My favorite part about leading CWLI has been meeting the incredible women of Chattanooga. This city is not just a place full of young start-ups and tech savvy individuals. This city has a brain trust of women who are making things happen.

What are some challenges you faced while leading CWLI and how did you overcome them?

Some of the challenges I faced while leading CWLI are based on its growth. We have over 600 members now, which is remarkable. But the question becomes: how do you impact 600 women on a personal level? How does CWLI membership add value to that many individuals? The logistics of holding events and communicating to the membership becomes cumbersome as well, but a new membership management software has been helpful. Marlena Palmer, CWLI’s program manager, has most of the events down to a science—but it is still a big job. We are fortunate to have an active board and super committee chairs who take on the roles of responsibility!

What changes do you hope to see within the organization in the coming years?

Currently, we are a membership fee-based organization which holds a single annual fundraiser event called Impact. It would be nice to have new revenue streams developed so that CWLI can broaden its impact on a larger scale. I want to feel confident that CWLI is regarded as an educational organization for women—the go-to organization for leadership development for women in Chattanooga. There is such potential for growth in this area, and CWLI will need to continue developing its strategic plan for the future.

What strides do you think members can take to make more of a difference in women’s leadership issues in the local community?

First, support each other in business, in civic organizations, and in public service. Second, engage personally in these areas—don’t be afraid to take on leadership roles.

How has this organization changed and grown since you first joined?

CWLI has grown in membership, obviously, but it has also become more visible in the business and political community. With over 600 members, we are a force to be reckoned with. We shouldn’t forget that nor take it lightly. We have grown in influence and have begun seeking corporate partners, not just event sponsors.

What are your plans for life after CWLI?

Travel! Our first outing will be to Hilton Head for the first week of October—a great opportunity for down time.  We plan to do some international travel in 2017.

What words of advice do you have for women leaders?

Be aware of the imposter syndrome, meaning don’t think that your success is a fluke. Enjoy it and recognize that you earned it! Don’t use words like “just” or “actually” that undermine your point before you ever make it. Take on leadership roles and show how you are impacting the bottom line.

How would you best describe the benefit found in joining this organization?

When we look beyond the confidence building and the empowerment, it is all about love. We learn about each other and come to understand and love each other. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet every single one of our 600+ members and get to know her. Encourage her. Love her.

We will miss you, Mical! We wish you lots of fun and adventure in retirement!

To view her member spotlight, click here.