Kati Machtley inducted into Big Sisters of Rhode Island “Magical Circle”

Mrs. Machtley was recognized for her work over the last 12 years as director of Bryant’s Women’s Summit.

On Saturday, Kati Machtley, Bryant’s “First Lady” and director of the University’s Women’s Summit, was inducted into the Big Sisters of Rhode Island’s “Magical Circle.” She was recognized at the organization’s Abracadabra Ball, which was co-chaired by Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts and Cheryl Snead, president and CEO of Banneker Industries and a member of Bryant’s Board of Trustees.

Other honorees included Kimball Hall, vice president and general manager of Amgen, Inc.’s Rhode Island operations; Beverly Ledbetter, vice president and general counsel at Brown University; and Anne Szostak, president and CEO of the consulting firm Szostak Partners. (Learn more about Big Sisters of Rhode Island.)

“It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized with these other remarkable women who dedicate their lives to helping others,” says Machtley.

Empowering women

Since 1997, thousands of women and men have come to Bryant for the annual Women’s Summit. The daylong conference of personal and professional development includes prominent keynote speakers and workshops led by experts in their field.

“Working at Bryant has provided me with the opportunity to help other women through the Women’s Summit,” says Machtley. “Without the support and encouragement of the Bryant Community we would not be able to present such a high-level conference.”

Nearly 1,000 people attend the 2009 Women's Summit, “Champions in a Changing Environment,” on March 12.

The 2009 Women’s Summit, “Champions in a Changing Environment,” was held earlier this month. The event featured entrepreneur Mirelle Guiliano, award-winning journalist Jean Chatzky, and former Olympian Dominique Dawes.

“The Women’s Summit provides attendees with an empowering educational experience, a network of contacts, and the inspiration to achieve their best in life and their chosen professions,” says Machtley.

Last summer, Machtley was recognized by the Providence Business News for her work as part the newspaper’s inaugural program to highlight the accomplishments of women in the Rhode Island business community.

Lifelong educator

Machtley’s career in higher education spans more than 30 years. She has been a member of the nursing faculty at Salve Regina, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, and George Mason University.

At Bryant, Machtley teaches a Foundations for Learning course with her husband, Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley. For the last two summers they have led student trips to Italy as part of the University’s Sophomore International Experience.

She also chairs the University’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, and the Angel tree Project, a prison fellowship ministry that provides holiday gifts for children of inmates. Last year, she took part in the “Telling Her Story” series sponsored by the Women’s Center as part of Women’s History Month at Bryant.

Last April, Machtley was presented with the Rhode Island Women in Higher Education’s Annual Award for Outstanding Leadership. She had a chance to reflect on the role her family played in her journey as an educator.

Both her grandmothers and her mother were teachers, and Machtley remembers how they instilled in her the value of an education. Her father, a World War II veteran who never had the opportunity to finish college, was also an important influence in her life.

“A college degree is something that can never be taken from you,” he would tell her.

Machtley has brought that message to Bryant where she is a role model for the world’s future leaders. Heavily involved on campus, she can often be found at athletic events and supporting campus life.

“She knows each student by name, says Hannah Jorgensen ’09 (Spruce Head, ME), an intern in Mrs. Machtley’s office. “She is a true inspiration to us all."