By Laurel Stokes
My interest in the WNBA began when a fellow publishing professional convinced me to go to the annual fall networking party in 2014. I met several publishing professionals from the other houses and, more importantly, authors and agents from throughout the industry. I knew I liked the access to these different areas of the literary world but I was too focused on my career at that point to officially join.
Christine Sikule and Laurel Stokes at the 2017 Networking Party
In 2014, I was an Operations Administrator for Penguin, which was undergoing both major and minor restructuring due to the 2013 merger of Penguin and Random House. I knew I needed to find another role before February 2015 or I would be on the outside of the publishing world once again. So I spent the next few months interviewing anywhere within the company that I could, and by November 2014 I had found an operations and finance role within Penguin Random House Publisher Services.
Through my new role, I was able to gain more skills valued in the publishing industry. It did not, however, provide me with the same social and networking connections I had previously enjoyed at Penguin. I began going to other publishing mixers and events, but none of them had a wide variety of professionals, so I returned to the WNBA, this time as a member.
In 2016, I decided I wanted to participate with the organization further. I was interested in working with the board members who have years of experience as professors, publishers, and authors, and in adding another dimension to my resume. Operations and finance are great foundations, but they can narrow what companies or hiring managers think you’re capable of. When I went to the fall planning meeting, I offered to help volunteer with events. Shortly thereafter, a VP of Programming moved to Boston and there was an opening which I happily accepted.
Publishing and the Political Conversation Attendees
Photo Credit Liberty Schauf
Soon, in addition to my day job, I was working on creating exciting events and reaching out to potential panelists with the help of my Co-VP, Christine. Some events I was particularly proud of were the Time’s Uppanel we put together featuring perspectives from legal, human resources, and journalists, and the Publishing and the Political Conversation panel that delved into the perceived challenges of creating diverse books and the pressures of creating and selling what traditionally works.
After a little less than two years as a Co-VP of Programming, I began a new role as Sales Operations Manager with HarperCollins and I was asked to be the President of the WNBA-NYC chapter. Both opportunities I can credit to my time as a member and as a VP of Programming. Through my time with the WNBA, I was able to build connections and confidence and to learn how to articulate the skills and knowledge I bring to the table. We are all unique; sometimes we just need some help figuring out how to highlight our best assets.
Want to build your resume and gain non-profit experience? Three excellent volunteer opportunities are available in the New York City chapter of the Women’s National Book Association!
We have two positions open to jointly run Programs for the NYC chapter’s upcoming year. In this executive board position, the Co-VPs of Programs will work together to organize and run events for the chapter. The role offers you the opportunity to shape the chapter’s events throughout the season, network with industry professionals and potential panelists, and develop relationships with other industry organizations.
These roles will require approx. 1-2 hours per week.
Second, we have a new opening for Membership Chair! This position entails tracking the NYC membership numbers and reporting them to the treasurer in a timely manner, as well as working with the President of the chapter to coordinate two annual membership drives in the fall and spring. This role will require a couple of hours per month. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain project management skills, come up with creative membership campaigns, and understand a non-profit organization’s inner workings.
If you are interested in applying for the position or want to learn more, please email president@wnba-nyc.org with the subject line “VP Programs” or “Membership Chair.”
Laurel Stokes is the new President of the WNBA-NYC chapter. She just completed her tenure as Co-VP of Programming.
