By Debra Nasipak, Associate Director of Career and Professional Development

On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the success of Tamara Keefe, a distinguished Drucker MBA alumna and the CEO of Clementine’s Naughty and Nice Creamery – a woman run, woman-led company.

Recently, we had the privilege of hosting Tamara for an Alumni Career Chat, where she shared her incredible career journey. In meeting Tamara, you instantly see that she is a woman with a strong will and grit. Her story is one of overcoming adversity to become an entrepreneur. She is currently the CEO of a very successful business that is set for some remarkable growth in the next 5 years. As CEO, Tamara shared that her business is all about the people. She looks for ways to lead, motivate, and inspire her people, instilling her vision into them. She’s not afraid to recognize that sometimes the problem is her, recognizing she needs to change and grow. She’s also willing to do any job in her company – from meeting with her finance team, to scooping up ice cream. Tamara emphasizes that building a positive company culture is done each day.

Tamara shared some valuable advice to our students. Think about what you want to do and how to get there. Realize that sometimes the path to get there is different than you think. Get experience in jobs/roles that surround what you want to do. It will set you apart from others. Be willing to take a job or task that no one else wants, just to get a seat at the table of the influencers. Realize how valuable your education is – it’s something no one can take from you. Your education can change the trajectory of your life, as it did hers. And finally, travel the world, make friends with people different than you, and experience life.

We extend our gratitude to Tamara for sharing her words of wisdom and for setting an example for women worldwide. Tamara’s journey exemplifies the spirit of International Women’s Day – an occasion to celebrate the achievements of women and allow their stories to inspire us to make a positive difference in our world.