2012 Honoree

Christine Nashick

Vice President of Marketing & Pricing, DHL Express U.S.

“I believe today’s young people do not face a bigger challenge than my generation, but they do face a different challenge. We now live in an information age where technology changes daily. Traditional career paths are being reinvented as globalization impacts job availability and the workplace in general is evolving. However, the key drivers remain the same–we all want peace and prosperity.”

What do you think of the media’s portrayal of women?

Media have a tendency to portray women in two basic stereotypes: we are either the do it all “wonder woman” who manages career and home with a smile, or the supportive wife/mother whose identity is defined by those around her. The reality is that choices for women have grown dramatically in the last several decades and there are many ways women are advancing in corporate, political, and civic arenas while making lifestyle choices in an increasingly complex world.

Have you seen any changes in the political landscape for women over the past few years? What are they?

Women have definitely made strides in the political landscape in recent years. Consider Hillary Clinton, who went from being first lady to making her own name as a presidential nominee to becoming Secretary of State. Clinton, like her predecessors Madeline Albright and Condoleezza Rice, helped elevate the role of women as accepted and credible forces at a global level. 2012 has been a record setting year for the number of women running for Congress and for a seat in the House of Representatives.

Do you feel the extreme left and right wings of U.S. politics are destroying the United in United States, or is it just healthy debate?

The United States was built around the concept of free speech. That means we must accept that there will be those at either end of the spectrum who have more extreme views than the mainstream. Unfortunately, these minority views make for great sound-bites and often garner more attention than deserved. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s destructive, it is certainly distracting and makes it harder for more reasonable voices to be heard.

Do you feel the decline of religion in the rest of the Western World will have an effect on U.S. society? If so, will it be good or bad?

Again, I would point out that that U.S. was built on the concept of free speech and freedom of religion. That also means freedom not to practice an organized religion. We are a nation of individuals with strong beliefs on the power of individual will. I believe the future of the U.S. will be driven not as much by outside factors as by our own inherent desires to grow and build.

Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges in your life that you think helped you become the person you are today?

I was shaped by an experience I had at age 26 when I made the decision to pack up and move to Hong Kong, despite being unfamiliar with the language and culture. This was extremely frightening at first, but the time I spent there was incredible as it exposed me to a whole new culture and taught me how to become more self sufficient. It also opened my eyes to all of the wonderful global opportunities that exist, which is extremely relevant to my career as an executive at a global shipping and logistics company.

Do today’s young people face a bigger challenge than you did?

I believe today’s young people do not face a bigger challenge than my generation, but they do face a different challenge. We now live in an information age where technology changes daily. Traditional career paths are being reinvented as globalization impacts job availability and the workplace in general is evolving. However, the key drivers remain the same–we all want peace and prosperity.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Be yourself.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Condoleezza Rice would be my top choice. As you look at her life, she overcame so many great challenges and used her intelligence, humility, and quick thinking to become a trailblazer and a leader in our nation. There are many people who could not have persevered the way she has, and for that I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for her. I have no doubt that dinner with Condoleezza would be unforgettable as well as enjoyable.

What is your favorite book (fiction or nonfiction)?

My favorite book is China Wakes. It was released soon after China began allowing external investment into China in the early 1990’s and I read it while I was living in Hong Kong. It provides a powerful and insightful perspective into China’s political and economic uprising.