This Is Purdue: Episode Summary

Episode Title: Purdue Daniels School of Business Professor and Bestselling Author Cara Putman on Leadership, Guiding Students and Ethics
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Kate Young
Guest: Kara Putman, Director of the Brock Wilson Center for Women in Business, Clinical Associate Professor at Purdue Daniels School of Business, and Bestselling Author

Introduction

In this episode of This Is Purdue, host Kate Young engages in an inspiring conversation with Kara Putman, a dynamic leader at Purdue's Daniels School of Business. Kara’s extensive experience in education, mentorship, and authorship provides invaluable insights into leadership, ethics in business, and empowering the next generation of Boilermakers.

Early Educational Journey and Path to Purdue

Kara Putman shares her remarkable academic journey, highlighting her early start in education. Graduating high school at 16 and college at 20, Kara’s path was unconventional.

Kara Putman [03:39]: "I was a first-generation homeschooler, so that's how I graduated from high school at 16... I started at 16 and graduated with my associate's degree when all of my friends were graduating with their high school diploma."

Her decision to pursue law was sparked by an experience at age 12, where witnessing attorneys influence legislative decisions ignited her passion for making her voice heard through law.

Kara Putman [05:15]: "If it takes a law degree for my words to matter, then I think that might be what I need to get."

Kara’s journey to Purdue was serendipitous, driven by her husband's connection to the university. Relocating to West Lafayette, she embraced the Purdue community, leading to over two decades of dedication to the institution.

Mentorship and Supporting Students at Purdue

Kara emphasizes the importance of mentorship, reflecting on her own experiences as a first-generation student lacking familial guidance.

Kara Putman [14:06]: "There have been people who have poured into me and have mentored me because I didn't have this wealth of family experience."

At Purdue, she champions the university's land-grant mission, focusing on supporting first-generation and diverse students through robust advising systems.

Kara Putman [14:06]: "We are scaffolded to help students and to provide the tools that they need to be successful so you don't have to panic when your student calls you, says mom, dad, guess what, I want to change my major."

Recruiting Women in Business

Addressing the demographic challenges in higher education, Kara discusses strategies to recruit more women into the Daniels School of Business. She highlights the Brock Wilson Center's proactive engagement with young women in middle and high school to foster interest in business careers.

Kara Putman [14:17]: "We've got to be talking to students and families in seventh and eighth grade... with the Brock Wilson Center."

Her efforts have led to significant growth in the center’s ambassador program, expanding from 6 to 205 ambassadors, demonstrating the increasing interest and support for women in business.

Kara Putman [27:07]: "It was like this hockey stick. When it went from 10 to 35 it was like, oh, that's really good. And then it went to 85 and I was like, oh my goodness, that's great."

Integrating Ethics into Business Education

Recognizing the pervasive ethical challenges in today’s business world, Kara has pioneered the integration of ethics into the core curriculum at Daniels. She developed a longitudinal model aimed at equipping students with practical ethical decision-making tools throughout their four-year education.

Kara Putman [18:05]: "We're trying to remove ethics from being over here... it really should just be another part of the decision-making process."

Kara advocates for making ethics a fundamental component of all business decisions, rather than an afterthought, ensuring that students are prepared to handle real-world ethical dilemmas.

Growth and Impact of the Brock Wilson Center

Under Kara’s leadership, the Brock Wilson Center has seen exponential growth, offering various programs that foster community, professional development, and leadership among women in business. Initiatives like the Women in Business Learning Community and Confident Transitions pathway have received accolades for their effectiveness.

Kara Putman [27:07]: "We just won Learning Community of the Year and Signature Event of the year."

This growth not only demonstrates the success of the center’s programs but also underscores Purdue’s commitment to empowering women in the business sector.

Advice for Students: Finding Your Superpower

Kara imparts her wisdom on career readiness, encouraging students to identify and cultivate their unique strengths—referred to as "superpowers." She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and resilience in the workplace.

Kara Putman [33:08]: "Figure out what your superpower is... this is what I bring to any team, to any employer that nobody else does."

Her advice includes practical steps such as taking personality assessments and being willing to experiment and learn from failures in a supportive academic environment.

Writing Career and Advice for Aspiring Writers

Balancing her role as an educator and prolific author, Kara discusses her passion for writing. With over 40 published books, she shares insights into her writing process and offers advice to aspiring authors.

Kara Putman [40:45]: "You have to be a reader... you have to know what makes a good book."

She advocates for disciplined writing habits and leveraging one’s unique voice to create compelling narratives, highlighting the importance of reading extensively and writing consistently.

Future Vision for Daniels School of Business

Looking ahead, Kara envisions the Daniels School of Business expanding its academic offerings and infrastructure to better integrate business with technology. She anticipates the introduction of new majors and courses focused on artificial intelligence and law, positioning Purdue as a leader at the intersection of these fields.

Kara Putman [42:50]: "We will have our new building... we will probably have a couple new majors... a class on artificial intelligence is rolling out in the fall."

She hopes to foster stronger connections with Indianapolis businesses, creating real-world learning opportunities that enhance student engagement and practical experience.

Conclusion

Kara Putman’s dedication to leadership, ethics, and mentorship at Purdue exemplifies the Boilermaker spirit. Her multifaceted role as an educator, mentor, and author not only enriches the Purdue community but also prepares students to become ethical and innovative leaders in the business world.

Kara Putman [45:01]: "Purdue is just such a great place to be. I've been really, really blessed to be here for all these years and boiler up."

Notable Quotes:

• Kara Putman [00:42]: "Figure out what your superpower is, because that will help you become more confident as you step out into the workplace."
• Kara Putman [18:05]: "We're trying to remove ethics from being over here... it really should just be another part of the decision-making process."
• Kara Putman [33:08]: "Figure out what your superpower is... this is what I bring to any team, to any employer that nobody else does."
• Kara Putman [45:01]: "Purdue is just such a great place to be. I've been really, really blessed to be here for all these years and boiler up."

About This Episode:

This episode of This Is Purdue delves deep into the impactful work of Kara Putman at the Daniels School of Business. Listeners gain insights into her educational philosophy, initiatives to support women in business, and her integration of ethics into business education. Kara’s advice for students and her passion for writing further highlight her multifaceted contributions to Purdue and beyond.

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