When we asked Patrice if she had any favorite quotes or words she lives by, she shared two. The first was, “Where’s the corkscrew?” (kidding but not kidding) and more seriously the second was, “Keep Going, It Matters”.
She definitely took this motto to heart in her early 30’s when she left a career in business to pursue her dream of becoming an academic. She became Dr. Patrice Rosenthal after earning her MSc and PhD in Organization Behavior, Human Resource Management from London School of Economics.
“I’d always wanted to study at the graduate level and become an academic. It was risky but I feel it paid off very well. I taught for a long time at the London School of Economics and King’s College, London. I’m now the Program Director for the Human and Organizational Development Programs at Fielding Graduate University, based in Santa Barbara. It’s very involving and meaningful work. It’s too much work. But it’s good work.”
In addition to her work with mid-career professionals on doctoral research in the area of human and organization development at Fielding, Patrice is also an independent Research Consultant focusing on non-profit organizations which is what led her to WEV. “I met Marsha years ago at a fundraiser in Ojai. We talked about the possibility of my doing some research/consulting work with WEV. That came to pass and I’m proud to have been associated with WEV, in different ways at different times, ever since.”
After being with WEV as a volunteer for many years, Patrice feels strongly about also supporting the organization financially and joining the League. “Who could resist joining such a fantastically titled group? I thought it was important to show support for WEV in a direct, financial way. I know what wonderful work WEV does in the community. So it was another way and an important way to stand with WEV. Beyond the financial contribution, I would like to continue contributing my time and presence. In terms of my own take-away … a sense of having contributed … and pride in being associated with a group of Extraordinary Women!”