Welcome to a series introducing the women who were nominated by professionals and will be honored at "The Rad Women Celebration: Being Rad for Social Change." The event is hosted by the Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee and will take place on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Italian Conference Center. The idea was inspired by the bestselling book "Rad American Women A to Z," by Kate Schatz, who is the keynote speaker at the event. For more information, go here.
Deborah Telman serves as the vice president and general counsel and COE leader – Litigation, Labor & Employment and Legal Operations – for Johnson Controls.
She is also a board member for Harriett’s Daughters, a group of professional women working collectively with peer organizations to advocate for African-American communities.
In 2016, Telman received the Transformative Leadership Award by Inside Counsel and was recognized in 2015 as Most Influential Black Lawyers by Savoy Magazine.
She is also a former Board Member of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the recipient of the Alta May Hulett Award by the Chicago Bar Association and the former director of the Chicago Bar Association Foundation.
But Telman’s "radness" runs deeper. Keep reading.
OnMilwaukee: What is your "mission" with the work that you do?
Deborah Telman: My mission is to be an active leader in Corporate America and to be a leader for change for more diversity and inclusion.
What does success mean to you?
Proudly and unapologetically using my time so that when I look back at the arc of my life I am proud of my accomplishments and made meaningful contributions to support my community and the next generation. I stand on the shoulders of so many others that we must give back and make an impact.
Who or what have you learned from the most?
My husband Nigel is my most trusted advisor. He is strategic and calm whenever there is uncertainty and chaos.
What would you like to see change for women in the workforce?
I would like to see more women in senior decision making roles. The world interacts globally so we need diverse leaders at the senior leadership table. Decision makers should reflect the views of women and missing that critical element reduces the potential and effectiveness of our institutions.
What does a "perfect" day off from work include for you?
Sipping a cup of tea while playing scrabble with my husband and children.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
