Whitney Johnson

Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Nancy Rotering, Attorney and Mayor of City of Highland Park.

1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

When I challenged the two-term incumbent Mayor after being a City Councilman for less than two years, I knew that I had stepped out of my comfort zone and moved into a new, fearless realm.  It was time for change and at my core, I knew I had to be the catalyst.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

My grandmother was a “grab life by the tail” kind of gal.  She always encouraged me to keep striving and was a huge promoter of having a good time along the way.

 3. What is your biggest goal right now?

My biggest goal right now is to continue the work I’ve been doing to restore trust and stability to my city, and to provide a clear, attainable plan for a future of fiscal sustainability and investment in our community.  It involves honest communication, collaboration and truly being available to my colleagues, constituents and staff.

4.How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I unplug by working out with great music, spending time with my family or friends, or watching bad reality tv.    As often as needed, which is at least once a day.  The result is clearer thinking and more authentic connections with the people in my life:  family, friends, co-workers and constituents.

5. What’s the best networking contact you’ve made?

My best networking contact is a friend of mine who is relentless in her follow through.  She is superhuman in her networking ability.  How did you make it?  I made this contact in the most unlikely place: we met in a Park District tennis class.  I was running for my first elected office and someone said I should get to know her because she had the hugest network they had ever seen.  They were right!

6. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?

Personally: I am most proud of my four boys.  They are growing into incredible people: kind, intelligent, funny and interested in the world. Professionally: Serving as Mayor to my city.  We have weathered some incredible challenges together and have come out as a stronger community with a clear plan for our future.

7. What was the last business book you read?

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell.  It encourages everyone to think outside the box and pursue difficult challenges.  I find myself mentioning it frequently though I read it months ago.

8. What cause do you most want to advance?

Locally, meeting the needs of the underserved in my community.  Globally, ensuring the safety and education of all girls and women.

9.  What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Walk, don’t run.  Calmness backed by defined analysis inspires confidence.

 10. What is your “keep me going” quote?

“Life is either a good time or a good story.”

Check out Nancy Rotering’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Naama Bloom, Founder & CEO of HelloFlo, an online subscription service which provides feminine care products.

1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

I had my second child right around my 9 year mark at American Express. I knew it was time for a change so I decided to see if I could use my maternity leave to change things up. I got a part time babysitter and spent those 4 months meeting people, interviewing for jobs and just basically understanding what was possible. Most people thought I was nuts for “wasting” my maternity leave but I was finally feeling re-energized about the prospect of returning to work.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

It may sound corny but my husband has provided more guidance and support than I could have ever dreamed. Since he’s an entrepreneur himself, he can really empathize with the struggles and provide great counsel. As well, he’s an unbelievable strategist so I know I can always use him as a sounding board when I’m feeling stuck. Lastly, I tend to denigrate my accomplishments and he never lets me get away with that.

 3. What is your biggest goal right now?

I started my company because I want to help women and girls recognize and celebrate themselves and the special moments that shape our lives – from birth to puberty and beyond.

4. How did you get your first job? How did you jump to your second job?

My first job was as a Production Assistant on a low budget movie. I moved to LA after college without knowing anyone and I spent my days faxing resumes and calling people practically begging them to hire me. It was a freelance job that lead to others. My first salaried job came because I never stopped hustling and when I heard there was a Producer’s Assistant position on a TV sitcom that I liked, I basically beat down their door so that they would interview me.

 5. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I take long walks while listening to The Moth, This American Life or RadioLab. I try at least once a week but it’s not always easy to find the time.

6. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?

I left American Express after being passed over for two digital marketing jobs. In the last year I’ve released two videos generating 30m views on YouTube without a single paid ad. The lesson: Don’t let other people define what you can do.

 7. What was the last business book you read?

I don’t read very many business books – I use reading as an escape. However I really did enjoy Lean In [Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg] – I recognized so many of my own behaviors and experiences in that book.

8. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Things end the way they begin. When you’re working on a partnership or hiring, you need to take the early cues. If something doesn’t feel right, or is overly adversarial, chances are it will end that way. On the flip side, if things are smooth sailing from the beginning, they generally stay that way.

9. What is your secret indulgence?

Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzel Slims – impossible not to eat the whole bag.

 10. Who on the list of 2013 Honorees would you like to meet?

Anne-Marie Slaughter

Check out Naama Bloom‘s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

 

Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Farah Mohamed, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at G(irls)20, a global platform that economically empowers girls and women around the world.

1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

I was about 18 hours away from Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro and I had a moment of clarity about what my next career move would be; I wanted to invest in people over products.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

I have had many through my years in politics and social profit – men and women alike. The one who stands out is the Honourable Paddy Torsney who gave me my first shot in politics, made me work hard and express my ideas without fear of ridicule.

3. What is your biggest goal right now?

Expansion of G(irls)20 programming in two ways: provide girls, aged 15-17 with educational opportunities to ensure they are able to compete globally and create a program that combats youth employment.

 4. How did you get your first job? How did you jump to your second job?

My dad got me my first job which was to shred paper and work in the photocopy room of his office. I guess I did that with a certain flare because the next summer I was offered a bookkeeping job by the person who ran the accounting department.

5. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?

I wake around 6 am unless I have an international call I have to be up earlier for. I stretch, brush my teeth, wash my face, check my iPhone, turn on the news and make breakfast. Always in that order. It’s the only routine thing about me. If I am travelling abroad I don’t have a routine aside from waking up and getting out of bed.

6. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I hang out with my friends over a meal, walk, glass of wine. I never completely unplug.

7. What was the last business book you read?

A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power by President Jimmy Carter.

8. What song can’t you get out of your head?

September by Earth Wind and Fire. It’s a classic!

9. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Vote. It’s your privilege and your duty.

10. What is your secret indulgence?

A bowl of pasta with marinara sauce, basil and loads of parmesan with a glass of Amarone.

 Check out Farah Mohamed’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Katie Rae, Managing Director at TechStars and Project 11.

1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

In 2009, there was a big re-org at Microsoft and I came to a cross roads in my career. Did I want to stay at Microsoft and be comfortable, or reinvent myself and try something new. I took it as an opportunity to begin to following my own path.  I jumped in with two feet and became an early stage investor.  This led me to meeting lots of amazing entrepreneurs, mentors, and fellow investors.  Through the years I ended up founding Project 11 and Startup Institute and running Techstars.  I could not have picked a better path.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

My husband has been my biggest advocate and cheerleader.  We have a true partnership. I know it sounds cheesy, but he has always pushed me to think bigger and do more.

3. What is your biggest goal right now?

I want to prove that you can intentionally make startup communities more vibrant and inclusive.

4. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?

I am an early riser, usually 5 AM. I love to sneak down into my kitchen and make a cup of coffee and get ahead of the day before the kids get up. I am a Newspaper junkie. I read about seven papers a day.

5. How did you feel on your 30th birthday? What were you doing at that time? 

I was pregnant and thrilled to be working at a startup.  I used to catch a quick nap under my desk. The programmers just thought I had been up all night.

6. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I go Lake Champlain and swim with my kids and friends.

7. What was the last business book you read?

Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder

8. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

If there is something to be done, do it.

9. What is your secret indulgence? 

Tequila

Check out Katie Rae full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Welcome to the Forty Over 40 blog. Every week we spotlight one of our honorees and their thoughts on reinvention, mentorship and momentum…plus a peek into what makes them tick.

This week’s Q & A is with Mauria Finley,Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Citrus Lane, a fast-growing social e-commerce company focused on the $50B baby and kids market that’s backed by top-tier VCs Greylock and GGV Capital.

1. What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?

It was a big decision for me to leave my role at eBay. I had been at PayPal/eBay for six years. I had a wonderful job with amazing bosses, but I was looking for a new challenge. I wanted the chance to create from scratch and build my own company. I had been thinking about becoming an entrepreneur for a number of years, but had never been quite ready to take the leap. When my second son was nine months old and finally sleeping through the night, I decided to go for it. And, that’s what led me to start Citrus Lane.

 2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

I’ve been lucky to have a number of amazing mentors over the years. One who stands out is Stephanie Tilenius. I worked for Stephanie at PayPal and eBay. She took a chance on me several times, letting me tackle big challenges even when they weren’t in areas in which I had experience. In this way, I really grew as an executive and team leader. She pushed me hard to achieve, gave me blunt advice on things I could improve, and always made sure I knew she believed in me.

 3. What is your biggest goal right now?

 I don’t have one main, over-arching goal. I have goals for each part of my life. For work, I’m focused on taking Citrus Lane to the next level of growth. At home, I’m focused on being present with my four and seven year-old boys. As a wife, I’m trying to remember to use kindness in my thoughts and actions even when life is a blur of busyness. And, on the health side, I’m trying to be better about what I eat.

 4. How did you get your first job? How did you jump to your second job?

 I got my first job after graduating with a Bachelors and Masters in Computer Science from Stanford. I think people’s first job has a profound impact on how they see the world. My first job was as a product manager at Netscape working on the browser. It was a magical company and a special time – the beginning of the internet. I learned so much about how to build great software and about how software teams work. I also met a set of people that have gone on to be such important people in my life and network. My second job came directly out of the first one. The VP of engineering I worked closely with joined a startup, Good Technology, as the technical co-founder and recruited me two weeks later to run product management.

 5. What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning

 I wake up around 6:00am most days to exercise. I feel much better if I exercise each day. My team at Citrus Lane loves my “I had this idea while running” comments. Well, at least, I hope they do! I exercise early so I can be there for breakfast with my two young boys, get them ready for school, and get to work on time. Of course, I much prefer getting up early in the summer when the sun is already up, but in the winter, I’m out there running in the dark with a headlamp.

6. How did you feel on your 30th birthday? What were you doing at that time? 

 I felt much more anxious on my 30th birthday than I did on my 40th birthday last year. On my 30th birthday, I was getting close to changing jobs and was wondering if my long-term boyfriend was going to propose. On my 40th birthday, I looked around and realized my life was pretty awesome. I had two super-duper young boys, a wonderful husband (that same once-boyfriend who did, indeed, propose), an amazing company I was so proud to be create and a team I loved spending time with. Overall, at 40, my life is filled with friends, family, meaningful work, and happiness. When I think about my life, I realize that every decade is getting happier and happier.

 7. What is your secret indulgence? 

My secret indulgence is I watch one TV show before going to bed. After a busy day, dinner and bedtime for the boys, and endless work emails, I find it hard to fall right to sleep because my brain is still busy solving problems. But, if I watch a TV show, my brain turns off and I sleep well. Some favorites are Scandal, Good Wife, and Person of Interest.

Check out Mauria Finley’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!