EWG member, Major General Marilyn Quagliotti, US Army (Ret), has been recognized as a “World of Difference 100” recipient for 2019. The award lauds Marilyn’s success in establishing EWG’s flagship Mentoring Program, as evidence of her exemplary contribution to women’s economic empowerment. The recognition by The International Alliance for Women (TIAW), a global association of women’s organizations, acknowledges Marilyn’s “personal drive and proven executive abilities to support the advancement of women into leadership of US Government service.” Marilyn is one of only 8 Americans among TIAW’s “World of Difference 100” for 2019. The awardees hail from 56 countries, illustrating the global efforts to enhance women’s economic empowerment.
Marilyn began her drive to establish the first mentoring program for high-potential women seeking to enter the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 2014. The current EWG Mentoring Program, now entering its 6th year, is the result. EWG’s self-sustaining program is unique in its focus on federal mid-level women and distinguishes itself by its partnership with The Training Connection, a seasoned, woman-owned provider of executive training and its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). 20+ proteges are annually matched for personal one-on-one mentoring with experienced senior executives (many of whom are EWG members), small group discussions and formal presentations on leadership skills and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). A number of proteges have already successfully moved into SES or other more senior positions.
Prior to her success in standing up and gently directing the EWG Mentoring Program, including serving as EWG’s Chair of the Status of Women Committee until this past June, Marilyn forged a unique and singularly accomplished government career. Over 32 years, Marilyn became the first woman to command a Battalion in a Combat Division, and was both the first woman to be promoted to General Of-ficer and then to receive a second star in the Army Signal Corps. She capped her government service as a Senate-confirmed appointee at the White House. In addition to her inspirational career, Marilyn currently devotes her executive skills and personal leadership values as Vice-President for Development at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation.