in the spotlight

Felicita Hernandez

Chicago's Felicita Hernandez

Step Up Teen of the Month

Before Felicita Hernandez, a 17-year-old junior at North-Grand High School in Chicago, joined Step Up, she says she was insecure about herself, doing poorly academically and not sure that she would ever achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. Two years later, Felicita, or "Feli" as her friends call her, is thriving. She boosted her GPA to 3.3, was recently elected president of a Hispanic cultural group at school, and was selected for a two-year EMT training/college scholarship program through the Chicago Fire Department. Feli credits her achievements and newfound confidence to Step Up's Spoken Word and PowerPrep programs, and to the Step Up volunteers and staff who supported her through them.

"Step Up Women's Network has shown me where I stand. The leaders and the volunteers are advocates in the lives of many young women like me. These leaders and volunteers continually sacrifice and take time out of their busy schedules to inspire us and motivate our generation to attend wonderful colleges and pursue all our dreams. Step Up has truly taught me to believe in myself, trust myself, and dedicate myself toward pursuing all of my goals." - Felicita

Jenn Harrison (right)

Los Angeles' Jenn Harrison

Step Up Volunteer of the Month

As a leading member of the Teen Programs Committee, Jenn Harrison embodies the Step Up spirit of leveraging her skills and relationships to help Step Up's teen girls thrive. She has consistently been instrumental in supporting Step Up's key teen initiatives, most recently securing valuable in-kind donations and deep discounts of services and supplies, such printing and food for our "Inspired Voices" showcase event and upcoming 4th Annual Bay Area College Tour. If you'd like to work with Jenn on the Teen Programs Committee, please contact Jamie at jamie@suwn.org.

Porter Gale

Step-by-Step with... Porter Gale

a monthly chat with Step Up's inspiring membership

As the vice president of marketing for Virgin America, Porter Gale has over 20 years of experience working in marketing, advertising and independent filmmaking. Porter joined Virgin America in October 2007 and currently manages the brand and online marketing, in-flight content and loyalty teams. She will be the featured speaker at Step Up's Power Breakfast on March 12 in Los Angeles. Here, Porter chats with Step Up.

Step Up Women's Network: Describe one unforgettable moment in your professional career.

Porter Gale: I recall being very emotional when Porter Pictures wrapped a commercial shoot for Kohl's Department Stores. It was the first big project I landed when I had a production company – and the first commercial I directed.

SUWN: Describe one upcoming Virgin America initiative that makes you proud.

PG: I'm very proud of a new docu-series, called FLY GIRLS, which will air March 24, on the CW Network. The show follows five of our in-flight teammates and conveys how Virgin America is bringing the fun and style back to flying.

SUWN: What is your go-to magazine, newspaper or website?

PG: Huffington Post, The Economist and CNN.com

SUWN: Did you have a mentor or professional role model?

PG: Richard Branson.

SUWN: What is one step you took that you feel directly led to your success?

PG: Pursuing a higher education.

SUWN: What's your favorite part of the workday?

PG: Morning.

SUWN: What do you do to keep busy on a cross-country Virgin America flight?

PG: It's easy to stay busy on a Virgin America flight. I typically log on to our in-flight Wi-Fi to check emails or indulge in a movie. I also chat with my seatmates, as I've found you can meet interesting and engaged people on our flights. I also like hearing feedback from guests about our planes, product and service.

SUWN: Name your one must-have travel accessory.

PG: My blackberry.

SUWN: What is your go-to afternoon pick-me-up at the office?

PG: Water and a stolen treat from a coworker's candy bowl.

SUWN: If you had to take a mandatory vacation day where you were not allowed to do any work, what you would do?

PG: I'd hike in the morning, garden in the afternoon, and dine out in the evening.

SUWN: What would people be surprised to know of you?

PG: That I rode a bicycle across the country in 1996.

SUWN: What television show is your guilty pleasure?

PG: Mad Men.

SUWN: What's the best advice you've ever received from another woman?

PG: Live one day at a time and believe in yourself – was advice a dear friend and mentor named Georgia Pangle shared with me. The wisdom of others can be life changing if you allow yourself to listen and change.

Liz Dennery Sanders

Step Up To Success: What the saints can teach us about success

Luminary Circle founding member and former chair of the Los Angeles Board of Directors Liz Dennery Sanders offers Step Up members insight each month into key steps to success.

Not only did the New Orleans Saints win the 44th Super Bowl to become world champions, they won the hearts and minds of a nation rallying for the comeback of one of the world's most beloved cities. To the surprise of millions across the world, but not to their long-suffering and loyal fans, this team and the city they call home overcame every kind of adversity imaginable to hoist the Lombardi trophy and earn the admiration of their fans.

There are a few things we can learn from the New Orleans Saints, and their head coach, Sean Payton, about success. It takes a lot more than a handful of great players and months of drills to create a winning team like the Saints.

If you are looking to create huge success in your life, look no further than these takeaways from the Super Bowl champs:

Hold a Bigger Vision and Know Your "Why" – Sure they were playing for themselves and their teammates. Sure they were playing for their coach. But the bigger vision that the Saints held for the entire season – and what brought them to the Super Bowl – was the love and respect for their city and their fans. The team's bigger "why" was the city and the people of New Orleans.

Make sure you are clear about your vision for your life and WHY you are spending time doing what you do. Write out a vision of your life exactly one year from today – in the present tense, as if it has already happened.

Don't Get Sidetracked By Temporary Setbacks – One bad game. An injured player. A flooded city. This team came up against obstacles and challenges on a regular basis, but they never wavered or lost their vision. With focus and determination, they never lost sight of their end goal.

Setbacks and challenges are inevitable, defeat is not. Affirm your positive thoughts and intentions daily.

Focus on Collaboration and Teamwork, Not Individual Gain – The Saints are a tight-knit crew. From the outside looking in, they were often viewed as a motley cast of characters – a once-injured quarterback, a washed-up tight end and a slew of undrafted athletes. Boy did they prove everyone wrong. And they knew it. Capitalizing on underestimation, they focused on collaboration and teamwork, not individual egos or personal gain. Players shared equal time on the field and the ball was touched by many. Drew Brees became the glue that held everyone together and the team quickly realized they were much more powerful as a cohesive unit.

Check your ego at the door and realize you can't do it all alone. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Even the super successful don't have all the answers and look to others for advice and support.

Find A Mentor – Sean Payton believes in his team and he showed it time and time again with the risks he took on the field. A coach who has faith that his boys are winners is willing to go for it on fourth and two; take a chance on the extra two points and allow an on-side kick that creates a turnover and puts points on the scoreboard. Payton consistently showed his players that he knew they were up for the task, and ultimately, they lived up to his vision.

Find a mentor who believes in you and is willing to hold your bigger vision on days that you can't see it. Check in often.

Never, Never, Never Give Up – Winston Churchill may have said it first, but the New Orleans Saints have been living it for years. From fumbled balls and injured players, to fans with brown bags on their heads, to a Superdome with holes in the ceiling, a drowned city and talks of a relocation, this team has overcome every type of adversity imaginable. But they never gave up.

Even during your darkest hour when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, hold your bigger vision and never, never, never give up. We often experience our greatest breakthroughs as we make our way through difficult challenges.

©Liz Dennery Sanders 2010

Liz Dennery Sanders wants you to build your buzz and be successful beyond your wildest dreams. As the CEO of Dennery Marks Inc., a brand development and celebrity outreach firm, she founded SheBrand, to help female entrepreneurs, executives and small business owners build powerful personal brands with style, attract more clients and position themselves as experts in their industries. You can reach her directly at liz@shebrand.com or www.shebrand.com.