Warriors at Work Jeanie Coomber

This week, we welcome Aoifinn Devitt, Chief Global Market Strategist and founder and creator of The Fiftyfaces Podcast. Aoifinn is a force when it comes to markets, investing and storytelling and together we explore her personal and professional journey and the lightbulb moments that have guided her success. We take a deep dive into the magic of human connection as a business builder and what happens when we share vulnerabilities and reveal more of who we truly are. We also find the conversation returning to a recent theme we have shared on the Warrior platform, the importance of cultivating relationships, building networks and sharing experiences. Let this conversation energize and elevate you!

Aoifinn Devitt is Chief Global Market Strategist at Moneta. With more than two decades of financial industry experience and a diverse international background, Aoifinn Devitt plays an integral role in establishing Moneta’s long-term investment vision, philosophy and strategies. As the firm’s Chief Global Market Strategist, she aligns Moneta’s investment programs with broader firm goals while also overseeing the research, evaluation and selection of asset classes and investment vehicles.

Aoifinn values knowledge sharing and education, which motivates her to ensure investors are informed as possible. She strives to reduce complexity and demystify the world of investing for them by educating rather than just giving advice.

In addition to her work at Moneta, Devitt hosts and produces The Fiftyfaces Podcast, which showcases diversity and inclusion within the investments industry and other professions. She has run 53 marathons, is fluent in both German and French, and enjoys traveling.

(1:40) Aoifinn shares with us about who she is and the path she has taken in life to get there.

(5:42) Aoifinn shares how her love of story has evolved and the creation and growth of her podcast.

(9:08) Where does Aoifinn’s mind go when she thinks about a conversation that she has applied to her own life & experiences.

(12:50)  Transitioning from senior executives to board seats and retirement, Aoifinn charts how she explored this chapter in someone’s life.

(14:50) How does she get ideas for issues she wants to discuss and explore for her podcast?

(16:40) How has all of this helped her in her executive career?

(17:55) What is a big “ah ha” moment that Aoifinn has experienced recently in her own self-improvement and coaching?

(22:58) Aoifinn shows how important it can be to push outside of our comfort zone.

(24:37) What is next for Aoifinn, personally and for her podcast?

Connect with Aoifinn Devitt
https://monetagroup.com/professional/aoifinn-devitt/
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/aoifinndevitt

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This week we welcome Robin Merle, author of Involuntary Exit, A Woman’s Guide to Thriving After Being Fired, to share her insights. She brings a unique perspective to the conversation, showing how moving past the initial stages of anger and fear, and finding ourselves on a path of self-reflection can turn the experience into a positive one.  It can help us to rediscover our values and remind us of our power and importance.  

We also return to a recent topic of networking and Robin shares her unique idea of networking with “intellectual curiosity”.  Letting our curiosity lead the conversation, showing genuine interest in others and their work, can help build meaningful connections.  

Learning from being fired involves humility, self-reflection, and a commitment to our own personal growth. Join our Warrior conversation as we chart a path together.   

Robin Merle, CFRE is the author of Involuntary Exit, A Woman’s Guide to Thriving After Being Fired, which won the 2022 Gold Medal Nonfiction Book Award. She is the President of Robin Merle Associates, LLC, a fundraising consultancy, and the Founder of The Professional Guide which helps senior-level professionals succeed in their career transitions.  A Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE), she has more than 35 years’ experience as a senior executive for billion-dollar nonprofit organizations, raising more than a half-billion dollars primarily for universities and healthcare.   

As someone on a mission to help people move forward with their career transitions, Robin coaches executives through the pain points of job loss to rebuild confidence and resilience.  She also coaches Development professionals to succeed in new roles. She is a frequent podcast guest and webinar host and has been a featured speaker at Chief, the Rutgers Center for Women in Business, the Johns Hopkins University Women’s Leadership Conference, and AFP-NYC Global.  Robin is a proud graduate of The Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins and graduated from Rutgers College as a member of its first class of women.  

(3:25) Robin shares her experiences and path that brought her to write her book.  
(7:07) We delve into Robin’s book; starting at the beginning that sets the tone for her practical and insightful book.  
(10:35) Robin shares why she uses a unique grief model, to help people navigation through being terminated.  
(16:58) We discuss advice, one of many, that Robin’s offers throughout the book.  
(20:12) Robin explains how performance might not be the issue, when someone is terminated.  
(22:08) Robin shares her advice on how to discuss a termination in a future interview; preparing for that question and taking the time before jumping back into the arena.  
(25:20) Robin’s unique take on networking, and its close relationship to being “intellectually curious”. 
(28:55) A discussion on the triggers and anxiety related to terminations.  
(31:43) Robin shares how using affirmations and healthy mindset can move you through this experience.  


Connect with Robin Merle 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robin-merle-cfre-30b88536/
https://www.theprofessionalguide.com  

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This month we introduce you to Courtney Lalotra, Founder and President of the nonprofit organization One Life to Love. For Courtney it all started with a trip to India that changed her life path and she brings us along the way. She shares personal stories, from her own life and the children around her, that shows how her organization strives to empower vulnerable people, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.

There are more than 18 million children living on the streets in India.  Courtney and her organization bridge together people and their generosity to enable One Life to Love to make a difference in a child’s life. 

Join us this month as we learn the impact we can have when by enriching the lives of those around us.
 
After graduating from FIT in 2010, Courtney took part in a textile research project in Northern India. What was supposed to be a 30 day trip turned into a life-long mission to rescue India’s abandoned children. A month later, Courtney did not return to the USA with the rest of the
group.

Courtney decided to take a step of faith and open a home for abandoned and orphaned children with special needs. In 2014, with the support of friends, family and the congregation of a local NJ-based church, One Life to Love opened its doors and began rescuing children from the streets and slums.

Since its establishment, thousands of lives have been transformed as a result of One Life to Love’s unique approach. However, Courtney’s vision was never to reach millions through One Life to Love. Her emphasis has always been on the innate value of every single individual. She believes in quality over quantity, stating, “Maybe I can’t help 100, 000 street children today. But I can change one child’s life today, through love, care and provision. And if I help one and you help one, then we are genuinely changing the world.”

(3:42) Courtney shares her story on how a trip to India started her on the path to OLTL.

(8:14) Courtney shares with us about the support she had, from family, as she pursued a new life in India.

(10:50) What were the early days like for Courtney in India, and how she created the foundation for OLTL?

(16:29) What is an average day like for Courtney and OLTL?

(19:36) We learn the challenges that come with the work that she, and her organization, do every day.

(23:59) How did Covid impact the work that Courtney does?

(26:24) How has OLTL and their work expanded onto a national stage, with partnerships with the police and government in India?

(28:48) Courtney shares some of the long term goals for her organization.

(30:58) How do they bring people into this conversation and ask them to share their generosity?

(33:37) What should listeners remember most about Courtney and OLTL?
 
Connect with Courtney Lalotra & One Life to Love
https://onelife2love.org/
https://www.facebook.com/onelifeloved 

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Networking is a crucial aspect of any business. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned business professional, building relationships can help you gain valuable insights and find new business opportunities.  This series shares conversations with four extraordinary business women, from the Warrior community, to discuss the skills of networking. Many people struggle with networking, or get started too late, and this is the conversation to put us on the right path. We will discuss how we can cultivate the proper mindset and what tips, stories and perspectives we can learn that will make us better networkers.

We continue our series with Nancie McDonnell Ruder and she will share with our community her foundational principals of true relationship building.  She embodies concepts like “help and kindness”and shows us what good practices are around networking and relationship building.  She has a very thoughtful way of approaching these ideas, bringing clear and actionable tools that someone either early or late stage in their career can benefit from. 

Nancie McDonnell Ruder has dedicated her career to strengthening brands and the people who build them.

With over 25 years of experience in marketing strategy, marketing training, branding and consumer research, Nancie has vast experience accelerating growth for companies by helping build their internal marketing strength – so external marketing efforts are focused and most effective. 
Nancie began her professional career with the Leo Burnett Company in Chicago, Illinois, where she spearheaded Leo Burnett’s global new business efforts. Since launching Noetic Consulting, a marketing and leadership consultancy in 2002, Nancie has provided strategic guidance to clients large and small, including: AT&T, Discovery Channel, Georgetown University, Nike, Vail Resorts, Samsung Electronics, SC Johnson, Mayo Clinic, the Walt Disney Company and others. Noetic is proudly female owned and WBENC-Certified as a diversity owned business.

(3:30) Nancie shares her philosophy and mindset around relationship building?

(5:40) How does she teach her philosophy to people coming to work at Noetic?

(9:38) Does Nancie find there is a difference between relationship building and networking?  How does she define each concept?

(14:26) How does Nancie evaluate the health and well-being of her network?

(16:40) The power of thoughtful introductions and how Nancie’s philosophy is so effective.

(20:09) - What advice does she have for someone who is in the early stages of their career?

(23:52) When thinking about the arc of her own career, what stands out to Nancie as a pivotal relationship building experience?

(26:53) How do these skills help Nancie in her personal life?

(29:03) What does Nancie ask, offer and acknowledge to the Warrior community. 
 
Connect with Nancie McDonnell Ruder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancieatnoetic/


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Networking is a crucial aspect of any business. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned business professional, building relationships can help you gain valuable insights and find new business opportunities.  This series shares conversations with four extraordinary business women, from the Warrior community, to discuss the skills of networking. Many people struggle with networking, or get started too late, and this is the conversation to put us on the right path. We will discuss how we can cultivate the proper mindset and what tips, stories and perspectives we can learn that will make us better networkers.  

We continue our series with Dr. Rosina Racioppi, President and Chief Executive Officer of WOMEN Unlimited, Inc., who shares with us how networking and relationship building has been crucial to her own success.  She shares the tools that can help us step into our own power and influence, help us learn what limits us and how to overcome those obstacles, while navigating through complex and compressed lives. This conversation, while chockful of ideas and thoughts, show us one of the most powerful elements of networking is the special ingredient, curiosity.  

As President and Chief Executive Officer of WOMEN Unlimited, Inc., Dr. Rosina Racioppi spearheads her organization’s initiatives to help Fortune 1000 companies cultivate the talent they need for ongoing growth and profitability. Under her leadership, WOMEN Unlimited, Inc. successfully partners with organizations across a wide range of industries to develop their high-potential women and to build a pipeline of diverse and talented leaders.   

By overseeing the management of programs and services nationwide, Dr. Racioppi is actively involved in helping organizations meet the challenges of a continually changing global economy. Additionally, she analyzes and develops new business opportunities; works with current Fortune 1000 partners to assess and update offerings to their high- potential women; and ensures that WOMEN Unlimited, Inc. is in sync with the needs of its present and potential partners.  

She has over 25 years’ experience in Organization Planning and Development, Compensation and Benefits, Training and Development, Safety, Quality Management, Staffing and Employee Relations.  

(3:18) What is Rosina’s mindset when it comes to building relationships and communities?  

(5:20) What was Rosina’s catalyst for writing her book “Relationships Matter”? 

(7:12) What should women in 2024 be thinking and focusing on?  

(9:08) Does Rosina think there is a difference between networking and relationship building?  

(11:45) Which of the 7 reasons we all need good relationships, from her book, have been most impactful to Rosina in her career?  

(15:55) What advice would Rosina offer someone who feels they are too busy to grow their network? What do we say to someone who says “I can’t network virtually”?  

(20:31) How can we assess the health and well-being of our network?  

(22:21) What was the most influential networking experience and why?  

(26:09) How does Rosina feel the skills of networking has helped her outside of her career?   (27:50) Who are the people she is following for guidance and inspiration?  

(28:44) What is Rosina’s ask, offer and who/what does she want to acknowledge?  

Connect with Rosina Raccioppi
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rosina-racioppi-792b941/  

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Networking is a crucial aspect of any business. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned business professional, building relationships can help you gain valuable insights and find new business opportunities.  This series shares conversations with four extraordinary business women, from the Warrior community, to discuss the skills of networking. Many people struggle with networking, or get started too late, and this is the conversation to put us on the right path. We will discuss how we can cultivate the proper mindset and what tips, stories and perspectives can we learn that will make us better networkers.

We welcome Amanda Grant, Senior Managing Director with Teneo, to join our Warrior Conversation on becoming an effective networker.  She shares her philosophy that building relationships is a key component to growing our networks. We discuss the importance of language and the stories that we hear and share to help build relationships.  Our conversation sheds light on how some of the best things that will happen in our lives will come from interactions we have with others that lead us in new directions we never expected.  

Expect to be shown new paths and skills to become a better networker and build meaningful relationships during our conversation with Amanda Grant.  

Amanda Grant is a Senior Managing Director, with Teneo’s People Advisory business.  She has a distinguished track record of over 25 years of Financial Services leadership, globally advising and recruiting C-suite leaders in corporate strategy, talent needs, DE&I, infrastructure and organic and inorganic growth.

Amanda harnesses her leadership, practical industry experience, innovative approach to enterprise business management, and extensive network to recruit the most senior and diverse leaders and teams in financial services. Amanda advises asset and wealth management firms, banks, FinTech and Private Equity companies, portfolio companies and Venture Capital firms. She understands the challenges and opportunities faced by today’s business leaders and serves as a trusted partner and advisor on senior leadership team structure, distribution infrastructure, operating and investment teams, strategy, and talent.

(2:33) What is Amanda’s philosophy around networking and relationship building?  

(4:50) The importance of “finding the uncommon” when building relationships with others.  


(6:50) Understanding the difference between networking and relationship building.  
10:52) Amanda shares with us what her network is like.  

(15:03) What does Amanda feel are important skills to have when trying to build relationships?  

(17:38) Amanda shares some of the experiences that were influential in her career.  

(28:04) How can we share these skills to others, how can we pay it forward?  

(30:00) What would Amanda say to someone who is “in auto pilot mode” and might need some council?  

(38:05) Amanda shares an ask, an offer and an acknowledgment to the community    

Connect with Amanda Grant
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-grant-94633a4/  

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