Women in Business Club hosts Leap Day ‘Leap Into Leadership’ panel

Liberty University’s Women in Business Club hosted a “Leap Into Leadership” panel on Thursday at the School of Business, providing students the opportunity to hear and glean advice from female business professionals.

The event, which was moderated by School of Business Professor and club faculty advisor Kristin Boyce, began with performances by a student women’s choir led by School of Music Professor Melanie Bernard. Following the time of worship, Bernard and Boyce joined the panel alongside Jill Rufus, a local realtor; Christy Murphy, executive event director for Career Services; Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed; Solmaz Chadwell, athletic trainer and wife of Flames Football Head Coach Jamey Chadwell; and businesswoman Robyn Woodard.

The panelists introduced themselves and shared how God has given them success in not only the business world but also in fostering strong Christian families.

Rufus, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Liberty, shared that she started her career in social work and also served as the director of adoptions for the Liberty Godparent Home. After this, she began a small eBay business and now works as a realtor to help Liberty graduates and others find their dream homes.

Murphy said she worked in nonprofit ministry before entering the realm of small business and later joining the university. She cited John 10:27 as her favorite verse and encouraged the students to trust in God’s timing.

“Don’t worry about having it all figured out, just lean into hearing God’s voice,” said Murphy, who has a bachelor’s degree in English from Liberty and is the daughter of the late John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Dean Emeritus Dr. Ed Hindson. “We don’t follow because we know Him or we know the plan, but we follow because He knows us. He made you exactly how He wanted you to be — totally unique doing something nobody else can do — and He’ll get your attention because He knows you. Don’t be stressed about it, you can’t mess it up.”

Reed, who was elected to Lynchburg City Council in 2022, shared how she previously gained business expertise by repurposing furniture while a military wife in Germany before beginning her political career.

Boyce spent 10 years working for Bank of America before accepting a full-time job with a local Christian radio station. She joined Liberty as a professor in 2021.

Chadwell shared about her role as the wife of a football coach and her duty of caring for her children as they have navigated the uncertainty that often arises with her husband’s occupation. She also noted how she uses her position to care for the Liberty Football student-athletes, many of whom come from single-parent homes.

“I was the person who was going to be able to give my kids the consistency and the normalcy that they needed when we left everything else that we’ve ever known to start over,” she said. “God put me in that type of role to give my children the leadership that they needed at home as well as with our football players.”

Woodard began working in sales right out of high school and later built businesses with her husband.

Bernard, who joined the university in 2023, previously worked as a worship leader and pastor at Azusa Pacific University.

The panelists also answered questions from the audience about what advice they would give to female college students.

Bernard emphasized the importance of encouragement and solidarity between Christian women.

“It’s really important to build unity, encourage one another, and link arms with each other as we run the race,” she said. “We need each other. At the same time, don’t turn to the right or to the left to compare yourself with what the others around you are doing. God is laying out a path for you, and that comparison game and spirit of jealousy can work against what God has for you.”

While acknowledging that some people find security in a stable salaried job, Woodard encouraged young female entrepreneurs to take risks in the business world and fully trust that God will provide.

“What is your passion?” she asked. “What gets you so excited to be doing? Whatever it is, find out a way get paid doing it. It may take some creativity. … For those of you who want to jump out and do your own thing, what do you have to lose? Right now, you’re not married, and you don’t have children. Just go for it. Roll the dice, ask the Lord what direction, and move on.”

Responding to a question about the advice she would give to Christian working mothers, Bernard addressed the dilemma of balancing one’s responsibilities as a spouse and mother as well as in one’s personal career.

“Think of it like you are juggling all of these balls in life,” she said, citing wisdom she heard from Australian worship leader Darlene Zschech. “One thing (Zschech) said is you can’t balance it out. Wherever you are, be 100% present. When you’re with your spouse, be 100%. When you’re with your kids, be 100%. When you’re with your ministry, be 100%. But also know that you have these balls, and you have to juggle them. You’re going to have to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom during the seasons in your life where you can’t possibly juggle all the balls. You are going to need to know which balls are bouncy and you can pick back up later, and which are glass. If you let go of the wrong ball, it will break and that will be detrimental to your life.”

Bernard said one’s relationship with Jesus, their spouse, and their children are examples of balls that should never be dropped and should always take precedence over anything else.

Chadwell closed the panel discussion by noting that nobody can shoulder these responsibilities by themselves. Women should be comfortable asking others for help as they journey through life.

After the event, Boyce spoke to the importance of hosting these discussions.

“As women, we’re all going to be on a different journey and have different stages and seasons of life. I think it’s so valuable to learn from women who have gone before us,” she said. “When we have these events, (students) get to learn from the dynamic women who have gone before them, who have already navigated that path, and have wisdom that they can impart on our students.”

The Women in Business student club hosts about two events every month to help prepare female students to leave college and enter their own careers. Students can follow the club’s Instagram page for information on joining and future club events.