BIGNY "Groundbreaking Women: The Second Wave" Event -- A Brief Report

From left to right:
Panel moderator Karen Romano, Linda Palladino,
Janet McCarthy Grimm, Barbara Marcus

A panel of executives from the book publishing and paper manufacturing industries related their career experiences during tonight’s Book Industry Guild of NewYork’s (BIGNY) “Groundbreaking Women: The Second Wave” event. The panel discussed their professional experiences as they ascended into senior positions during a change in the business world that welcomed more women.

Thomson-Shore Director of Business Development Karen Romano moderated the discussion, held at Random House’s midtown New York office. The panel trio included Barbara Marcus, President and Publisher, Random House Children’s Books; Janet McCarthy Grimm, Vice President, Lindenmeyr Paper; and Linda Palladino, Vice President and Director of Production, Random House Children’s Production.

Each panelist took a unique path to achieve career success. Grimm’s initial years as a sales representative found her advancing into increasingly responsible positions despite being in a largely “old school” male industry. Marcus embraced a number of editorial challenges that demonstrated her high-level skills, business commitment, and strategic insight. Palladino shifted from law school to publishing and never looked back.

The panelists unanimously suggested that women new to the publishing or paper/printing industries find in-house mentors. Their experienced guidance is invaluable to grasping the essential knowledge of their business. It’s also extremely difficult to find equally rich sources of advice outside of their respective industries.. They also underlined the value of mentorship, and noted that those receiving it should “give back” to the “following wave” that will enter publishing, paper manufacturing, and printing.

The three executive women also strongly encouraged the “following wave” to take chances during their careers. Some of the panelists’ most exciting opportunities evolved from their conviction that risk-taking and self-belief were vital to their career advancement and job satisfaction. Barbara Marcus emphasized that point during a discussion of her reasoning for embracing her current role at Random House Children’s Books.