Her Story
About Helene
Helene Waranch is a retired manager, administrator, and motivator whose career spans education, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit leadership. She began as an early childhood instructor and teacher, earning a master's degree, then worked for her father before founding her own printing company. She grew the business to over $2 million in revenue with 35 employees while serving as president of the Printing Industries of Maryland. After selling the company amid industry changes from desktop publishing, she ran nonprofits and spent her final 12 working years planning programs and classes for seniors at a community college. Her volunteer leadership includes serving as president of Women of Reform Judaism, North American chair of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, and as the first Jewish president of the local Junior League of Baltimore. She attributes her success to strong female role models in her family and the support of teams and organizations, and she values honesty, integrity, acceptance of others, and social justice.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Helene
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have been very fortunate to have wonderful women role models in my family who have been the guiding, either as a mentor or as a role model along the way. You stick your neck out and hopefully build support along the way. Nobody does it alone. It takes a village to make things happen. I may have ideas, but I can't institute them alone without a group or organization to promote them and carry them through.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Apply places that you think you would enjoy and try them. The worst is you walk away after a while, but you don't know until you try something. And give it your all.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I have been a member of several founding boards. I have also helped to revamp at least 3 different organizations and help them to reorganize and move forward in very positive ways.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One is honesty and integrity, and they go hand in hand. Another value is accepting people and enjoying people along the way. People are important, and they make things happen. Certainly my strength in social justice and making sure that everybody has a fair opportunity along the way.
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