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TWO SISTERS

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Dr. Marilou Ryder

Dr. Marilou Ryder is a Professor of the Doctoral Program at UMASS Global.  She is a recognized authority and speaker on the gender divide and women in leadership.  Dr. Ryder is also the author of fifteen books, including The SeXX Factor, Rules of the Game, and the Sister to Sister Series for women and girls.

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Childhood Ambition - To become a veterinarian

Best Health Tip - Omega Fish Oil

Inspiration - Powerful women

Best Money Saver - Happy Hours

Personal Quote - Be audacious

Defining Moment - Becoming a superintendent

Biggest Challenge - Becoming a superintendent

Favorite Song - Sounds of Silence

Greatest Success - Raising my son to become
a good person

Best Make-up Tip - Use Retin-A daily

What I learned from writing our books

Women get stuff done!

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Jessica Thompson

Jessica Thompson, a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, has worked as a creative designer for the past twenty years.  Her true passion includes coaching young women in the sports of field hockey and Lacrosse.  Jessica, a teen advocate and mentor has since crossed over to the other side as a certified field hockey umpire.


Childhood Ambition - To become a Fashion Designer

Best Health Tip - Aquaphor

Inspiration - My daughters

Best Money Saver - Carrying my own golf bag

Personal Quote - You got this!

Defining Moment-  First child graduating from college

Biggest Challenge - Running my first 5K at 55

Favorite Song - Landslide

Greatest Success - Seeing my daughters on their own

Best Make-up Tip - Volumize L’Oréal Mascara

What I learned from writing our books

Exercise my mind just as much as my body to keep strong and healthy and in the moment!

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Dr. Marilou Ryder

Dr. Marilou Ryder is a Professor and Program Chair for the Ed.D program at UMASS Global.  Marilou holds a Master’s degree from Syracuse University and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne. Dr. Ryder’s scholarly interests range from the history of women in leadership, the gender divide, teen self-advocacy,  executive presence, and women and aging.  

 

Her research, “The Impact of Male Gender Dissonance on Women’s Potential Eligibility for Advancement to the Position of Superintendent” was published as a popular book, The SeXX Factor: Breaking the Unwritten Codes that Sabotage Personal and Professional Lives, by New Horizon Press in 2003 and was featured on talk shows throughout the nation. 

 

Later she wrote Rules of the Game: How to Win a Job in Educational Leadership, an Amazon best-seller for educational leaders. She then co-authored ten popular books for women and girls with her sister, Jessica. 

 

An accomplished presenter, Dr. Ryder speaks extensively delivering lively and engaging presentations on women in leadership,  self-confidence, executive presence, and women and aging. Throughout her career, Dr. Ryder has been an energetic and determined advocate for scholarly learning and practice and is deeply committed to working with women and girls to be their best selves on a good day. 

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Dr. Marilou Ryder Author and Professor
Dr. Marilou Ryder at a Women's Conference

Jessica Thompson

Jessica Thompson, a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology was born in Syracuse, NY and currently lives in Naples, Florida.  Jessica worked for twelve years as a buyer and merchandise manager for major department stores in Chicago and Boston and later transitioned to a career in the financial industry working for a large Boston Bank as a Branch Manager and a Mortgage Loan Officer.

 

While raising her two daughters she was able to develop her creative passions for fashion design and home decorating. When Jessica’s daughters entered college, she fulfilled another life long love, that of sports. She began coaching field hockey and lacrosse for young girls in two public school districts and continues to coach lacrosse and umpire field hockey today. Jessica is finding a true sense of reward from her latest career as her players enter college and play their sport in the NCAA. Jessica is an avid female golfer with a handicap of 12.0 at 61 years old! She is proud that she had passed this down to her two daughters who are better than her at golf. As an author Jessica is excited to share her ten books from the SISTER TO SISTER SERIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS. 

Jessica Thompson Women and Girls Advocate
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