10 Executive Dow Corning in Residence:
Alliant Techsystems CIO Karen Kirwan advises students to be courageous Paving the way to a successful career Summers <strong>of</strong> welding bumpers in an automobile factory made returning to CMU’s campus each fall a huge relief for alumna Karen Kirwan, ’84. She credits that factory job as just one <strong>of</strong> the work <strong>experience</strong>s that prepared her for her current position as senior vice president and chief information <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> Alliant Techsystems Inc. Kirwan, the College <strong>of</strong> Business Administration’s first female Dow Corning Executive in Residence, has followed the booming technology industry over the past 22 years with key positions at U.S. Cellular, Exelon, Pillsbury, Standard Register, Clopay Corporation, and Lenscrafters. Hearing about the people who Kirwan admires gives you a clear idea <strong>of</strong> who she is as a person and a businesswoman. She says she is influenced by Sir Winston Churchill for his leadership, George Marshall for his role as a great strategist, Warren Buffet because he uses his funds to benefit the <strong>world</strong>, and her father because he always made her learn from her mistakes. “Honesty and integrity are who I am; as a leader those are at the top tier <strong>of</strong> what I do,” Kirwan said. ”I do work to capture hearts and minds <strong>of</strong> others, that’s what makes me successful.” When it comes to being a female in the business <strong>world</strong>, Kirwan knows that expectations are higher, and she doesn’t hesitate to mention that she has had to use resilience, energy, and commitment to overcome stereotypes and stigmas throughout her career. Building the next generation <strong>of</strong> leaders “The leaders <strong>of</strong> tomorrow are not going to look like the leaders <strong>of</strong> today,” Kirwan told a room <strong>of</strong> future business pr<strong>of</strong>essionals during her keynote address. “You need to be bold, take a chance. Courage is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets.” Kirwan’s talk focused on the challenges <strong>of</strong> a competitive global market and the characteristics <strong>of</strong> effective leadership that will be required <strong>of</strong> the next generation <strong>of</strong> business pr<strong>of</strong>essionals. Whether it is through her pr<strong>of</strong>essional career or many philanthropic endeavors, Kirwan prides herself on leading by example to build future leaders. “Inspiring, motivating, and leading are very proud accomplishments,” Kirwan said. “I enjoy watching people reach their full potential, especially when they don’t even see it in themselves.” “ You need to be bold, take a chance. Courage is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets.” – Karen Kirwan, senior vice president and chief information <strong>of</strong>ficer, Alliant Techsystems Inc. 11