Tuck Women in Business (WIB) is a student-run organization that aims to create an empowering community in which women can share resources, build skills, and support one another on their paths to becoming successful business leaders. Gina Cirrincione T’25, Erin Simmons T’25, and Madelyn Flores T’26 interned or worked at women-focused companies, ranging from a beauty company to a nonprofit, before the start of the fall term. Read their stories below.
On working at MilkMate
My main role this summer was to help MilkMate, an all-in-one, multi-user pumping system purpose-built for workplace environments, launch a new breast shield kit size as well as other projects necessary for the company to scale. My projects ranged from helping to develop company value statements to designing a new packaging sticker, and everything in between. In just 10 weeks, I collaborated with the entire staff (six full-time employees and two interns), getting the chance to work cross-functionally and contribute to various initiatives. I had an incredible time learning what it is like to work at an early-stage, woman-led, and predominantly women-run company. The experience sharpened my creative and strategic thinking all while being part of an empowering, supportive environment led by strong, inspiring women.
Fun Fact
MilkMate is at Tuck! Located on the 2nd floor of Tuck Hall, Tuck is the first and only higher education institution to have MilkMate installed on campus.
Insights from working at a woman-focused company
Women are badasses. Find your passion and chase it, it is truly unbelievable what we can do.
On working at Joly Beauty
My internship at Joly Beauty, an e-commerce retailer featuring over 20 inclusive, women-owned Ayurveda beauty brands, was both enlightening and fulfilling. It was incredible to work at the intersection of two of my passions: diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and beauty. This was my first professional experience in the beauty industry and I gained clarity on my desire to pursue a career in this field post-Tuck. I appreciated the opportunity to witness the inner workings of building a beauty brand. Garima Ahluwalia, the founder and CEO, was an inspiring mentor, and I learned a great deal from her.
Fun Fact
Joly Beauty may be launching its own product soon! Stay tuned.
Insights from working at a woman-focused company
Securing adequate funding for women entrepreneurs remains a challenge. Women of color often face even greater obstacles, with less than 3 percent of VC funding allocated to them. It is crucial for VC firms and angel investors to actively support female founders through mentorship and by increasing representation within the industry. This summer, I discovered numerous VC firms and angel investors committed to investing in women and minority-owned businesses. There has been substantial progress in enhancing representation, and I look forward to seeing how this momentum continues to impact female founders profoundly.
On working at Lean In
Working at Lean In, a nonprofit that focuses on creating a more equitable workplace for women, was an incredible experience! I was able to work with companies like the NBA, Airbnb, and Walmart to implement Lean In programs that reached over 80,000 employees while I was there. I also led the initiative for more research and inclusion on Latina women and coauthored the report on Latina Women in the Workplace, a first of its kind!
Fun Fact
Lean In founder, Sheryl Sandberg, shared that her TED Talk on having more women leaders was widely accepted and praised, that is until Facebook went public and her salary became public knowledge. After that, the TED Talk received a ton of negative reviews! Another fun fact, Dartmouth was a part of the Braintrust that helped create one of our DEI programs and gave insight and research into the experiences of women of color!
Insights from working at a woman-focused company
Try and get a female manager … our research proved that women managers are more invested in employees’ well-being and career aspirations. You’re not alone. So often women, and women with intersecting identities, are the only people in the room or feel siloed. Try and connect with other women and have honest conversations and you’ll quickly realize there’s power in us coming together.
Read the Women in the Workplace report! It’s filled with great data to use when you find yourself in ~ not-so-great ~ situations. It can also help validate what you’re experiencing at work and it outlines great solutions to share with the organization.
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