Female business professionals can’t always provide college scholarships, but they can provide support and mentor for the next generation of businesswomen, according to Revellee McNeil.
“Women can provide their time and their presence,” McNeil said. “Make a phone call or meet for lunch.”
McNeil, program manager for IntelliGenesis, LLC’s Augusta office, spoke about the importance of women helping women at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Program on Tuesday, June 21. Company President and CEO, Angie Lienert was originally scheduled to speak, but she was unable to attend the luncheon.
She said it’s important to share not only your professional obstacles, but also your successes. As a U.S. Navy veteran, she has helped many veterans understand how to use the G.I. bill. McNeil was able to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees using her benefits.
IntelliGenesis, which provides a variety of information technology and cyber services for the U.S. Department of Defense and other entities, helps young women who want to pursue STEM careers through its Women Supporting Women Scholarship.
Each year, 11 high school seniors in Georgia, Texas, and Maryland receive one-time $1,500 scholarships. To be eligible, students must select a STEM major, attend college full-time, demonstrate financial need, and meet other requirements.
“We want to help train people we want to hire in the future,” McNeil said. “She (Leinert) encourages other CEOs to offer scholarships.”
Caroline Herlong Turner, an associate with the Herlong & Doran Financial Group, LLC in Aiken, attended the luncheon and said she appreciates the fact that companies are doing more to help women.
“There are more resources for women who want to go into STEM fields,” Turner said. “There has been more of a supportive network than there was in the past.”
For more information about the IntelliGenesis scholarship program, visit intelligenesisllc.com/about-intelligenesis/#scholarships.
