Fall Executive Development Series: Insights from our Scholarship Recipient Angela Eichman

When I joined my company in 2016 as a contractor, I never imagined the path my career would take. Over the years, I’ve progressed to a Senior Manager role, and recently, I’ve had the opportunity to join my company’s leadership team reporting directly to the CEO. It’s been an exciting shift, but also a humbling one.

As a Senior Manager among Directors and VPs, I often find myself reflecting on how best to contribute. The WICT Executive Development Series has been transformative for me. Through this program I came to realize that leadership isn’t static; it moves through four stages—contributing dependently, contributing independently, contributing through others, and contributing strategically. Throughout our careers, we ebb and flow between these stages. The key is recognizing where you are, and which activities will help you bridge the gap to where you want to be.

The Executive Presence program helped me connect the stages of contribution with an equally important concept: personal brand. Whether intentional or not, we all project a brand. Understanding mine and aligning it with the presence I want to have as a leader has given me clarity and confidence to step into spaces where my voice truly matters.

I’ve been fortunate to watch strong leaders like my mentor, model executive presence with authenticity and strength. Her encouragement to seek formal coaching is what led me to the WICT Executive Development Series, and I’m grateful for the practical tools I’ve gained through this program. I now feel more prepared to communicate with executives, build broader connections, and ensure the pivotal messages I share are heard.

For me, the program was a reminder that growth happens at the edge of comfort, where new skills meet new opportunities. It provided me with a framework to think about how I contribute today, and the confidence to step into the leader I’m becoming. I am grateful to the WICT Greater Philadelphia Chapter for making this experience possible through their professional development scholarship. Their support has been instrumental in my leadership growth and gave me the opportunity to connect with others who are also striving towards similar professional goals