Women Leaders on the Move - HerCsuite® Radio Natalie Benamou, Host and HerCsuite® Founder, C-suite leader

Today we look at the unique strengths women bring to the high-stakes world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Join host Natalie Benamou as she sits down with Jennifer Fondrevay, Chief Humanity Officer at Day One Ready and author of "Now What: A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through M&A." Jennifer shares her career journey and the powerful roles that intuition, empathy, and emotional intelligence play in M&A success.

Jennifer recounts her eye-opening experience interviewing over 60 CEOs and discusses how women can transform the M&A landscape by leveraging their unique skills. Get inspired by real-life stories of female M&A professionals who have become trusted advisors by tapping into their foresight and emotional intelligence. 

Jennifer also offers actionable advice for women aspiring to board roles, emphasizing the importance of human capital management and the often-overlooked process of re-interviewing for jobs post-acquisition.

Whether you're an M&A professional, a board member, or simply interested in leadership and business strategy, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to harness the transformative potential of women's leadership in M&A and elevate your career and business outcomes.

Explore how women's intuition, empathy, and foresight can reveal unseen factors, foster open communication, and anticipate future challenges in M&A. Jennifer shares a compelling story about a woman who kept a deal on track by minimizing ego conflicts and discusses the importance of having allies in the boardroom.

Discover the intricate interplay between data-driven decisions and cultural alignment in M&A. Jennifer highlights the often- under appreciated superpowers women bring to the table, such as intuition and emotional intelligence, and provides actionable advice for women seeking board roles. Jennifer also touches on the critical aspect of re-interviewing for jobs post-acquisition and its impact on employee morale.

Favorite Quotes:
1. "The emotional aspect, the compassion, empathy, intuition piece of M&A is so important to success yet often overlooked. It’s these very qualities that can foresee potential management conflicts and cultural misfits early in the deal process."

2. "You cannot be attached to your past achievements. You need to highlight what you're going to do for the company moving forward. It’s not about what your job was before. It’s about what is your skill set and expertise that's going to contribute to the future."

3. “Highlight a program you created to onboard employees so that you didn't lose talent. Leaning into that and showcasing your unique contributions to human capital management during M&As can significantly enhance your board resume."

This is a must-listen to interview if you are on a board, are creating M&A opportunities or work with human capital.
Thank you Jennifer, for being a featured speaker today!
Keep shining your light bright. The world needs you.

About Jennifer J. Fondrevay:
Jennifer J. Fondrevay is the Chief Humanity Officer at Day One Ready and the author of "Now What: A Survivor's Guide for Thriving Through M&A." With extensive experience in M&A, Jennifer focuses on the human side of business transformations, helping companies and leaders navigate the complexities of mergers and acquisitions.
Jennifer Fondrevay on LinkedIn 
Website: https://jenniferjfondrevay.com
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Forbes Article: Women Posses Superpowers in Merger & Acquisition Success

Host Information:
Natalie Benamou is the host of "Women Leaders on the Move" and the Founder of HerCsuite®, a powerful network creating an ecosystem of limitless opportunities. She is dedicated to advancing women's careers and leadership skills.
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Show Sponsor:
This podcast is sponsored by HerCsuite® Boards Mastermind Circle

Unlock the dance between agility and stability with Lauren Perkins, a seasoned founder, entrepreneur and author.  Lauren sits down with host Natalie Benamou and explores all things entrepreneurship.  Hear the behind the scenes story of her new book released June 11th ‘Think Like a Brand, Act Like a Startup'. Lauren shares her journey from journalism to community management and brand marketing. 

Dive into the lessons she’s distilled in her latest book and discover how understanding customer needs and creating immersive experiences can transform your business. Lauren’s expertise in scaling businesses across startup and corporate landscapes offers rich, actionable insights for entrepreneurs at every stage.

Join us for an episode filled with inspiring stories and practical advice designed to help you thrive, whether you're in the startup trenches or climbing the corporate ladder.

Key Takeaways:
Balancing Stability and Agility: Understand when your business needs stability and when it requires agility, and leverage the benefits of both to achieve success.

Customer-Centric Approach: Prioritize understanding customer needs and creating immersive experiences to transform your business.

Mentorship: Seek mentors and build meaningful one-on-one interactions to navigate entrepreneurial challenges effectively.

Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot and adapt, especially during crises, to ensure long-term success and sustainability.

Join us for this inspiring episode filled with practical advice and stories designed to help you thrive, whether you’re in the startup trenches or climbing the corporate ladder. Don’t miss out on the valuable lessons from Lauren Perkins’ journey and her latest book, "Think Like a Brand. Act Like a Startup." available on Amazon

Favorite Quotes:
"Think Like a Brand, Act Like a Startup’ is about the dance between stability and agility, leveraging the benefits of both to connect deeply with your customers and create immersive experiences."-Lauren Perkins

"Balancing stability and agility is not about choosing one over the other. It's about understanding when your business needs the steadfastness of a big brand and the nimbleness of a startup to thrive."-Lauren Perkins

In entrepreneurship, don't shy away from asking for help. 

The right mentors and one-on-one interactions can be transformative, helping you navigate complex relationships and leverage your strengths.


Leveraging big brand resources for startup growth isn't just about access to capital or technology. It's about creating a symbiotic relationship where innovation meets infrastructure to drive exponential success.

This podcast is sponsored by HerCsuite® Entrepreneur Mastermind Circle

Thank you Lauren, for being a featured guest. Congratulations on your new book: Think Like a Brand, Act Like a Startup and for being a featured speaker for HerCsuite® Entrepreneur Circle.

Special thanks to Carlton PR

About Lauren Perkins
Entrepreneurship is in Lauren Perkins' DNA. An expert at scale, she started and helmed multiple companies before pivoting to corporate innovation and venture building, helping thousands of startups and corporate innovations succeed. She’s best known as a General Assembly founding instructor, Columbia University entrepreneur in residence, Microsoft for Startups managing director, and the author of The Community Manager's Playbook.
https://twitter.com/laurenperkins
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Unlock your creative potential with the inspiring story of Candice Lee MacAulay  From navigating the world of PR and communications to testing video games in Japan, Candice's unconventional path led her to become a successful romance novelist and a thriving e-commerce entrepreneur. 

Learn how she harnessed her passion for storytelling and diversified her creative projects to avoid burnout, eventually creating personalized affirmation cards that resonate with her audience. Her journey is a testament to the power of pursuing what you love and finding fulfillment in unexpected places.

Candice talks with host Natalie Benamou about the concept of "bad art" and the liberating idea of starting without the fear of imperfection. Explore the joy of rediscovering creative passions and how they can enhance your professional life. I share my own experience of falling back in love with music through modern apps, and how this rekindled hobby has added a new dimension to my work. 

Advice on Finding Your Creative Passion: Make bad art. Do something, anything that will bring joy and excitement even if you are not good.
Step 1: Be bad at something
Step 2: It doesn’t matter if you stay bad at it
Step 3: Ask yourself, what would you do if it didn’t matter if you didn’t make money doing it.

Rewiring the brain: If you get used to be bad at something. This was fun. I enjoy it.
What happens when our brains try creativity? “Maybe I am bad at this, but it doesn’t matter, because it is fun.”

Make bad art. Do something, anything that will bring joy and excitement even if you are not good. Whether you're an aspiring author, a multi-passionate entrepreneur, or someone looking to reignite their creative spark, this episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt stories to inspire you. 

Don't miss out, and remember to share your own creative experiences with us!

Favorite Quotes
“The first step to being good at something, is being bad at something.”-Candice Lee MacAulay

“Creating for the sake of creation is worth it in of itself”-Candice Lee MacAulay

Thank you Candice for being on the show today. We want to give a shout out to Lioness Magazine and their monthly networking events for women where we met!

Thank you to our listeners. Please rate and review the show on  your favorite podcast platform.
Keep shining your light bright. The world needs you.
This podcast is sponsored by HerCsuite® Connect Circles. Now you can bring your business inside a powerful community designed by women for women. Schedule a call to learn more.

About our Guest
Candice Lee MacAulay is a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur, multi-six-figure bestselling author, singer-songwriter, amateur music producer, affirmation product designer, and e-com store owner. As a Creativity Facilitator she helps those with a creative soul that's been drained and neglected re-fill their creative well so they can find fulfillment and joy in life again. 
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In a world where your network is your net worth, understanding the art of building influential connections is crucial for anyone aiming for the C-Suite or a Board Director role. Liesl Schmidt, a seasoned leader with decades of experience in commercial banking, offers a masterclass on cultivating connections to pay it forward.  

Discover how intentional relationship-building and strategic alliances can open doors to remarkable opportunities and career advancements.  Hear firsthand from Liesl as she shares: “Early in my career, I was mostly focused on routine tasks in banking, but the landscape rapidly changed with digital transformation. My advice to anyone listening is to always be prepared to evolve with your industry.”

Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Strategic Networking: Learn how to identify and engage with key individuals who can influence your career trajectory.
2. Building Lasting Professional Relationships: Discover tips on nurturing connections that are both meaningful and mutually beneficial.
3. Leveraging Leadership Roles: Gain insights into using your network to secure leadership positions and board roles.

Favorite Quotes from Liesl Schmidt:
"Every interaction in your career serves as a mini-interview; it's your chance to leave a lasting impression."

“Learning to adapt and embrace new technologies not only kept me relevant but also propelled my career forward.” 

"Connections have been key to paying it forward throughout my career. It’s about lifting as we climb and making sure we’re not climbing alone."

"Executive sponsorship is more than mentorship. It's about being someone's champion in the rooms where decisions are made.”

Tune in to harness the strategies that helped Liesl Schmidt advance her career and discover how you can apply these lessons to elevate your own career.

We would be grateful if you rate and review this podcast on your favorite podcast player and share with a friend or colleague today.

We thank Liesl Schmidt for being a featured guest, speaker and member of HerCsuite® Boards Mastermind circle. Special thanks to Naomi Kent, HerCsuite® Boards Circle Chair for introducing us.

Keep shining your light bright. The world needs you.

About Liesl Schmidt:
Liesl Schmidt has spent over 30 years in commercial banking, with both Community and Super Regional banks. Currently, she is the Chief Operations Officer at River Valley Community Bank in Northern California, where she actively participates on their board. Before her current role, she was an Executive Vice President at U.S. Bank, the 5th largest bank in the United States. 

In addition to her banking expertise, she serves as a Director on the Adventist Health Community Board-Rideout Hospital, with a special interest in agriculture. Liesl specializes in organizational risk mitigation, growing companies while innovating and maintaining efficiencies, and has experience on the governance, audit, and compensation committees.
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Women Leaders on the Move Podcast:
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How can we improve women's health outcomes? Take a listen to our featured guest, Anjana Sreedhar, a passionate advocate for women's health and a seasoned expert in organization development. Anjana sheds light on the historical and ongoing challenges women face in healthcare, while offering a hopeful outlook for the future. Her deep insights and thoughtful commentary provide valuable lessons for anyone interested in improving healthcare systems and supporting women's well-being.

Anjana Sreedhar talks with host Natalie Benamou about her book: Health Care of a Thousand Slights and the information she uncovered in both writing the book and also in the work she does now.

Key Takeaways:
1. Historical Context: Understand the long-standing male dominance in the medical field and its impact on women's health.
2. Present-Day Issues: Learn about the persistent challenges women face, including under-diagnosis and lack of research in women's health.
3. Future Optimism: Discover the growing recognition of the need for better investment and research in women's health.
4. Holistic Care: Explore the importance of providing safe, respectful, and clinically sound care for women.
5. Advocacy and Change: Gain insights into the steps needed to create a more equitable healthcare system for women.

 Quotes from Anjana Sreedhar:
1. "The past has laid bare everything that's going on in the present in women's healthcare."
2. "Women deserve to access care that is safe, respectable, and clinically sound so they can live the lives they deserve."
3. "As a society, we're starting to understand the need to invest in the questions around women's health."

Tune in to hear Anjana Sreedhar’s compelling perspectives on the evolution of women's healthcare and her vision for a brighter future.

This podcast is sponsored by HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit focused on ending medical gaslighting and improving health outcomes for women. 

We invite you to share, rate and review this podcast on your favorite streaming platform.

Keep Shining your light bright. The world needs you.
Special thanks to Priya Bathija, Founder and CEO of Nyoo Health, for introducing us!

About Anjana Sreedhar:
LinkedIn Profile
Anjana Sreedhar is the author of Health Care of a Thousand Slights, published in December 2020, about the history of health disparities among marginalized populations in the United States. She has a background in health care strategy and operations.
Website:https://anjanasreedhar.mystrikingly.com/

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Transformation starts with a personal experience and in the case of our guest, Brooke Dukes, a life altering event 30,000 feet in the air.  Take a listen to this conversation with host Natalie Benamou and Brooke Dukes, the CEO of BMD Consulting.  Brooke is not only an accomplished leader but also a torchbearer for individuals striving to carve a career and life away from feeling the crush burnout. 

Brooke takes us through her unique journey and shares profound insights from her new bestselling book, "Burn On, Not Out: Finding Fulfillment Beyond Success." Her book provides a comprehensive guide to those who are in search of a delicate balance between professional triumph and personal contentment.

The importance of authentic leadership, the power of vulnerability in fostering empowerment, and the art of charting a path towards inner tranquility amidst the corporate hustle, are all focal points of our discussion. Discover the secrets of leading a life that is fueled by fulfillment rather than being dimmed by exhaustion.

Key points
Learn how to burn on and burn forward into a life where there’s no more stressful striving for external rewardsRemove pressure to be perfect or “enough”,Discover how to stop trying to live up to the standards or expectations that emerged from your parents or your young, wounded self.
Favorite Quotes
1. "It's time to step off the hustle bus and into your life of flow you were naturally meant to be living in." - Brooke Dukes

2. "You can have success and fulfillment. It's not easy and it takes some work and it takes some discipline and some boundaries, but it can be done and I want more women to experience that." - Brooke Dukes

3. "We have to build that habit and then let the habit get the result." - Brooke Dukes

Thank you Brooke, for sharing these insights and for helping us all Burn On, Not Out!

Help others find us by rating and reviewing this show on your favorite player. Share it with a friend and help her burn on, not out!

Keep shining your light bright. The world needs you.

About Brooke Dukes
Brooke’s high-paced career in corporate reached a crossroads during her second pregnancy. Eight months pregnant and on bed rest, her boss gave her an ultimatum– fly 8 hours on an international flight to close a $500M deal or lose the entire commission she’d worked for months to earn. She closed the deal but went into labor on the return flight, 30,000 feet above ground on a plane full of men. Thankfully, the emergency response team that met them when they landed were able to stop the labor, ensuring she and her daughter, Ryann, were both healthy.

Endangering her unborn child for the sake of a commission became the wake-up call she needed to redefine her life and to start helping other women redefine theirs. From that point forward, Brooke has used her corporate background and her expertise in human behavior transformation to empower women to take back control of their lives, to align their career paths with their true values, and to realize that happiness leads to success–not the other way around.

Website: www.brookemdukes.com
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookedukes/
https://www.facebook.com/brookedukes/
https://www.instagram.com/brookedukes/

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