Stevens School Of Business Welcomes An “Unruly” Conversation On Leadership
“Yes, we can do that. Yes, we'll figure out how to do that. I have no idea what that is, but yes, we will figure out how to do that.”
The power of yes was just one of the messages delivered by Lauren Wittenberg Weiner, author of the best-selling book Unruly at the Women Driving Business event recently hosted by the Stevens School of Business. Weiner was the featured speaker of the event, which also included a panel discussion among accomplished leaders, including Stevens alumni, focused on professional excellence and leadership in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.
Weiner was the CEO and founder of one of the country's top woman-owned national security firms, generating more than $100 million in revenue per year and received the largest award ever to a woman-owned business from the Special Operations Command.
Unruly makes the case that many boundaries accepted as fixed are actually more flexible than we think, and that opportunities emerge when we strategically question the conventional wisdom of "that's just how things are done."
“I am a huge believer in non-transactional relationships,” she told the audience. “I don't keep score. I don't watch who's up, who's down. I never try to get one over on anyone. I'm not a sales person, but we won $200 million on one contract, and then the next year we won another $200 million in additional contracts. It's because I believe in storytelling and giving people a framework to hang their own requirements and their own needs.”
Weiner’s conversation about leadership and excellence was hosted by GJ de Vreede, Dean of the Stevens School of Business.
“Technology, is at the forefront of Stevens, and technology has started disrupting everything,” de Vreede said. “It's changing and transforming every industry. AI is reshaping how we work, and how we live. As a result, the business landscape is evolving faster than ever before, but here's what I've learned throughout my career, working around the with people from diverse disciplines and cultures. The most transformative leaders aren't the ones who simply follow the established playbook. They're the ones who understand where flexibility exists, where innovation is possible, and how to create change while maintaining integrity and purpose.”
Following the keynote, the event featured a distinguished panel of four accomplished professionals who are actively shaping the future in their respective fields. Half of the panelists were Stevens graduates, showcasing the lasting impact of a Stevens education.
The Panelists |
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Jennifer Cable, CEO of ThorLabs – As a second-generation family business leader since 2020, Jennifer brings unique perspective on building organizational culture, investing in advanced manufacturing, and expanding into new markets. With degrees from Vassar College and Columbia University, she keeps innovation close to home in Newton, New Jersey. |
Julia Deister, CEO and Co-founder of Hydrific – With over 15 years of experience in technology and consumer products, Julia is transforming water conservation through smart home innovation. Her previous global leadership roles at Grohe, combined with her MBA from Columbia Business School, position her to tackle pressing environmental challenges with both strategic vision and operational excellence. |
Malena Aldecoa Higuera, Stevens Class of 1975, Managing Partner of MAldecoa and Associates – An accomplished executive in the cosmetics industry with deep expertise in international business, Malena leads a consulting firm specializing in sales and marketing for personal care clients. Her work spans technical, sales, and marketing functions across international boundaries, and includes connecting companies with investors to drive strategic growth and innovation. |
Karen Holzberger, Stevens Class of 1992, President and CEO of SpinTech MRI – Over the past two decades, Karen has become a leader in enterprise imaging technology and healthcare innovation. Her journey includes senior leadership at Nuance Healthcare, where she drove product strategy and go-to-market initiatives. Karen exemplifies interdisciplinary thinking by combining her Stevens engineering degree with business leadership credentials from Harvard and NYU. |
The discussion explored how these leaders put principles of authentic leadership, strategic thinking and ethical decision-making into action in their respective fields. The panelists shared firsthand insights on what it takes to lead with purpose in today's dynamic business environment, offering valuable lessons for attendees at every career stage.
“The best advice I ever received came from my mom, and this actually connects to something Lauren said,” Jennifer told the audience. “My mom told me, ‘Never make a decision out of fear,’ and that has been the single best advice that I have brought to my career. Is this a decision that's being motivated by fear? Fear of being disliked? There's a lot of fear that can go into that. Fear of how you'll be perceived, fear that you're doing the wrong thing, that you're making the wrong step, and that fear can really cloud your judgment.”
The panelists' stories demonstrated de Vreede's opening remarks in action. Each has navigated their own journey by doing precisely what he'd pushed attendees to do at the start.
“I encourage you to think about your own path, your own decisions that are next,” he said. “What are the rules in your professional life that you could challenge? Where's the flexibility that you haven't yet explored? And how can you use this unique perspective to create opportunities not just for yourself, but for others?”
