Mother/daughter duo advocates for passion in WWLP session

Helping women succeed has been a personal mission for Janet Tiebout Hanson ’74. A former vice president at Goldman Sachs, she spent a majority of her professional career empowering females to support each other. Today, she and her daughter, Meredith Hanson ’11 are among more than 25 Wheaton graduates who serve as presenters and mentors for the award-winning Weiss Women’s Leadership Program (WWLP).

Prior to the start of spring courses, WWLP students spend a week in workshops designed to aid their development as leaders. A Wheaton graduate mentors each student throughout the semester to provide advice and support ranging from professional development, leadership skills, and personal growth. The students also attend monthly workshops that address professional development topics. 

On April 1, Janet, a former Wheaton trustee, and Meredith, owner of Meredith Hanson Art & Design, presented the final workshop of the semester to more than 20 WWLP participants. 

The alums each shared their Wheaton journey and highlighted their most meaningful experiences. “My professors challenged my classmates and me to think more broadly and more thoughtfully,” Janet said. “It was an environment where I was encouraged and expected to excel, and it brought out my best qualities and skills.”

At the workshop, Janet noted how enjoyable it was to learn from a diverse group of student peers. Meredith shared the bond of lasting friendships that she formed on campus and the influence of Professor Touba Ghadessi (now provost at the Rhode Island School of Design), with whom she still keeps in contact.

Students were asked to contemplate the question, “Where does your mojo come from, or what lights you up?” It resulted in moving responses from a motivated cohort of individuals who are excited about their future.

The Hansons are thrilled to contribute to a place that has meant so much to them. Convinced to attend Wheaton by her mother, Patricia Peck Tiebout ’46, Janet passed along her passion for the college to Meredith.

“My mom loved it at Wheaton, where she met some of her lifelong best friends,” Janet said. “I found it to be that way as well. It was a women’s college with extraordinary professors.”Janet admires Wheaton’s ability to survive and thrive as a small liberal arts college because it keeps reinventing itself. “Wheaton has been innovative and resilient, from co-education to expanding to new majors, such as nursing. Their commitment to their student body really sets them apart,” she said. “It is a phenomenal place of higher education and steadfast in serving its mission to this day.”