Whitney Johnson

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

This Q & A is with Margaret “Digit” Murphy the Co-founder of Play it Forward Sport Foundation, an organization created to push forward gender equity in women’s sports at all levels, by empowering female athletes and building leaders through sports. As the Head Coach of the Boston Blades in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, she became the first coach to bring the only US club two Clarkson Cup championship titles.

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

In 2011 when I left college coaching and started my own business out of necessity–one of the things in women’s college sports that doesn’t exist –at least for change agents like me 😉 is the good ol’ girl network–However as luck would have it, I was contacted by a business networking connection– the women’s director of USA Hockey Reagan Carey to look at a different type of coaching in a women’s “pro” league the CWHL–Canadian Women’s Hockey League where I had the opportunity to work for Commissioner Brenda Andress–it was a great opportunity and run for our squad as we won two of the three Championships with our very accomplished Boston Blades women’s professional hockey team–but I was again forced to reinvent myself last year (2015) and move on due to lack of resources in women’s sports–there was no livable wage to speak of to coach and a passion project doesn’t pay the bills!
My partner and I decided to start a non profit Play It Forward Sport that builds a sustainable model for women’s sports–we also started our own business around this model –and the UNITED WOMEN’S Sports LLC was born–our model takes women’s pro sports and attacks it all angles from a female perspective–our first league we are launching is the United Women’s Lacrosse League  (UWLX) which begins league play End of May 2016.
We will be housed in a major sportsplex in Massachusetts called the New England Sports Village where I am a consultant for the girls and women’s programming.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

Early in my career Russel J McCurdy, long time women’s coach at New Hampshire and advocate.  At Brown, Arlene Gorton Professor Emeritus. Lately my partner Aronda Kirby with her driving passion for equity we have had to be ROCKS for each other–this is a very “heavy lift”.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

Secure funding for our UWS (UWLX) and Play It Forward Sport home- New England Sports Village and launch our first Professional Sustainable League The United Women’s Lacrosse league and secure funding for pay-equality in sport through sponsorship and philanthropic donations through our Non Profit Play IT Forward Sport.

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

I got my first job through Cornell connections with my adviser gaining an internship then it turned into a full time position the next year. I got my second job when a woman I worked with introduced me to her husband and he met me and hired me after having a few adult beverages at his kitchen table! It pays to drink beer and talk sports I guess.

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

Lately my morning habit is: get dressed,make my coffee, walk to the gym do a modest work out listening to podcasts (Rich Roll is my favorite) then I walk back and usually have coffee with my partner then get my day rolling–it is head down non stop until then–I am thinking of trying a meditation practice but haven’t gotten around to that yet–it is a goal in 2016.

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

Tired! I had 1 child, a new husband, was coaching at Brown University full-time and was the assistant USA Hockey National coach.

7) How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I don’t do that enough but as I mentioned earlier I want to learn how to meditate – I just got the app Head Space I’ll let you know if it can get me to slow down! Honestly I probably unplug right before bed–but I sleep like a ROCK so somethings working

8) What’s the best networking contact you’ve made? How did you make it?

Joseph Fitzpatrick. We are working together in the New England Sports Village.   A friend introduced us and we have a passion for community sports and old school values–he has an entrepreneurial spirit as well and has a ton of connections in different spaces then I do–he is really great at connecting the dots and I have a lot of respect for him.

9) What challenge/achievement are you most proud of?

My career at Brown, for graduating our students and mentoring and instructing so many young women–but recently I am proud of our vision in the pay equality space and helping launch a league that creates over 100 opportunities in the sports space for females.

10) What was the last business book you read?

Blue Ocean Strategies

11) What cause do you most want to advance?

Pay Equality, and we are doing something about it!

12) What song can’t you get out of your head?

TODAY?? How do you like me now by Toby Keith.

13) What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Listen more, talk less” I am still working on this one

14) What is your “keep me going” quote?

“Persevere through adversity”–our mantra at Brown was ‘adversity training” many of our players still quote it to this day!

15) What is your secret indulgence?

Chips and dip–it is like crack to me.

16) Who on the list of prior Honorees would you like to meet?

Way too many I want to meet them all! But, Joanne Wilson from 2013 I like her handle “Gotham Gal”.

Check out Margaret “Digit” Murphy’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

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

This Q & A is with Lisa Sepulveda the President of Global Client Management at Edelman. She has 25 years of consumer marketing experience, most recently president of Global Consumer Marketing at Weber Shandwick.  Lisa oversees the top 17 global clients of Edelman and is responsible for over 30 percent of the firm’s global revenue.

She has a wealth of award-winning consumer branding and consumer healthcare experience along with deep management and client relationship skills. This combination has helped her establish strong relationships with organizations such as the CDC, The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen.

1) What was a pivotal moment of reinvention for you?

My mother died at a very young age, and in 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Even though I am now closing in on my five year recovery mark, this was a pivotal moment and a time for me to think long and hard about where I wanted to be for the balance of my career.  I have always been exceptionally passionate about my work – but it was at this time I knew I needed to follow my heart and return to my Edelman home and take on the global client role I have now.  My biggest motivation has always been to do what my mother never had the chance to do, but wanted so much for both me and my two brothers.  My parents remain a driving force in all aspects of my life along with my two spirited daughters, Sara a junior at FSU and Megan soon to be joining the ranks of Syracuse, Newhouse School.  And of course, my husband Andrew who was my high school sweetheart and who always champions and supports all I do.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor? 

The reality is that I find value in the relationships I have in different areas of my life every single day. Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman, and Matt Harrington, global COO, Edelman have been unbelievable mentors from the start of my career and every day since. Gail Heimann, President, Weber Shandwick is one of the most creative and incredible women in PR – it was wonderful, and always inspiring, working with her. I have had the chance to work with, and learn from, so many colleagues, clients and many of the strongest women in the industry.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

My biggest goal is to continue to do great work within the halls of Edelman, forge new meaningful relationships, nurture our treasured partnerships and continue to mentor the young women coming up today.  At the same time, I work hard every day to maintain the critical balance between work and play.  I wouldn’t be as good at my job if I didn’t have time with family and friends, long days at the beach and quality time to unwind, think deep and simply kick back.

4) What cause do you most want to advance?

My breast cancer diagnosis in 2012 does not define me but I have made it my mission to be a sounding board for those recently diagnosed, as there was nothing more valuable to me at the start of my journey.  There is incredible power in the authenticity of connecting with someone who has a shared experience and can impart personal wisdom to help power forward.  October 2015 marked the five year milestone for me.  I walked in the Avon 39 this past October surrounded by my friends and other survivors.  Our team, Titans in Tiaras, exceeded our fundraising goals (by a lot!) and had an amazing time connecting with each other, and friends and family throughout the walk. I’ve committed to participating in a different breast cancer event every year since diagnosis.

5) What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Growing up my mom always told me, “Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed.”  This is the greatest advice since it does not lower the bar but certainly helps me to manage expectations.  Every day cannot be perfect, but this advice has helped me celebrate achievements and milestones, big and small.

I would also share with all women getting started in Communications Marketing that anything is possible.  I know it may sound cliché, but it couldn’t be more grounded in truth.  This is our time.  We have the ability to sit at the table with an impressive share of voice.  Be bold.  Be brave.  Don’t be afraid to take risks.  Build a community of smart minds, confidants and advisors.   No one is expected to go it alone.  Be available and always give back.

6) What is your “keep me going” quote?

“The best revenge is massive success.” – Frank Sinatra

7) What time do you typically wake up? What do you do every morning?

While I would love to clock an hour or two more each night, I have never been a great sleeper.  I won’t say sleep is overrated, but I do make the most out of my 5 a.m. rise and shine.  I always start the day, bookended by my puppies, and tackle the email inbox I was too tired to look at the night before.  Two or three mornings a week, I get to a 6 am spin class.  And, before they were off to college, I always made a point to be home as many mornings as possible to get my girls off to school.

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

I am passionate about music, lyrics and quotes.  Music motivates me and often drives my day.  Some favorites:  Closing Time: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”; 2 AM: “Just breathe”; Girl Almighty: “Let’s have another toast to the girl almighty” (makes me think of my girls and significant girl power) and Rosalita: “Someday we’ll look back on this and it will all seem funny!”

And my favorite, Good Life: “Please tell me what there’s to complain about.”

Check out Lisa Sepulveda’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

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

This Q & A is with Nilofer Merchant. Nilofer has worked for major Fortune 500 companies like Apple and Autodesk, and startups in the early days of the Web (Golive/ later bought by Adobe). She lectures on innovation at Stanford University, and Santa Clara University, her alma mater. Nilofer is a leading thinker on changes in work and business that are being driven by the social technologies that have recently come of age.

1)  What was a pivotal momentum of reinvention for you?
Do I have to pick just one? I ask because at the age of 48, I can
point to 3 big ones, and I’m sure this will be more true than not for
most of us. So rather than choose a specific story, many of which are
public and published, let me share the 1 thing I’ve learned about
reinvention?
I will say that in each iteration, when you actually start, you
feel like your success years are behind you. And then, 3 or 5 years
later, you’re like, “This was brilliant!” Not because it was obvious
that the new direction would work out. But because in chasing the new
dream, you manifest this other thing — invention, reinvention,
achievement — and that’s my lesson: it is in the doing, you become.

2)  Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
It’s hard to narrow that down to one person, because I’m very
fortunate. So I’ll focus on what adds the most value. The person who
challenges my ideas while also showing me a way of rethinking it.
Roger Martin has been doing that with me of late on onlyness and its
economic impact. The person who reminds me about my own ‘why’ when I’m
in the weeds of things. Ruth Ann Harnisch has been playing that role
for me as I work on a story-telling book on how people dent the world.
And of course, I learn a lot by new questions. As an expert on
collaborative work, I get a chance to speak around the world. My
favorite part of any “talk” is when I get to listen because a new
question creates a place for a new answer, and new thinking. So I
guess that third “mentor” are those that are curious enough about my
ideas to explore them further.

3)  What is your biggest goal right now?
Not giving up!  I’m in the middle of writing my 3rd book, to be
published by Viking/Penguin in 2017. Which seemed like a good idea,
but in doing it, I find myself frustrated that it’s not somehow
easier. I’m not only learning the art of storytelling, but building a
framework and language for modern value creation. The distinctions and
clarity are taking a long time to come. And I wish for more patience,
and more fortitude. So my goal isn’t to produce the book, my goal is
to keep doing my best work to date.

Check out Nilofer Merchant’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

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

This Q & A is with Cheryl Bachelder CEO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen. Cheryl has more than 35 years of experience in brand building, operations and public-company management.  Cheryl attributes her success revamping Popeye’s and bringing it to its current 1.4 billion market cap to her bringing servant leadership to the company. She has taken all her learning from leading the company’s turnaround into a book published March (2015), Dare to Serve, How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others.

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

My biggest reinvention occurred after my biggest career failure. I was recruited to be President of KFC restaurants, a division of Yum Brands in 2001.  I thought I was ready to lead this enterprise – and in many ways I was prepared. But there was one important gap.  I had not yet developed deep-rooted conviction about “how” I lead.  I will still trying to fit in as a leader, mimicking the leadership approach of others – when I needed to find my authentic point of view.  Long story short – I left KFC in Fall of 2003 after a tumultuous tenure with mediocre results.  his was the wake up call I needed to codify my approach to leadership – an approach that is rooted in my wiring and my principles. This approach, now described in my book Dare to Serve, has led to the remarkable turnaround results we have accomplished at Popeyes.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

My father was by far the most valuable mentor in my life.  He was a successful business man in the electronics industry.  He was an incredibly smart, innovative, and principled leader.  Over the years, he shared with his four children his leadership challenges – and every story had a “moral.” If he had to close a factory or fire a senior leader, he shared all the challenges of those kinds of decisions, including the importance of treating the people with dignity. In the end, he was my greatest leadership teacher. And after his retirement, he continued to mentor me for 25 years – through every stage of my career – until his death in 2009.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

My biggest goal at Popeyes right now is this.  We are known for amazingly good, freshly prepared, flavorful Louisiana recipes.  Our food is second to none in quick service. However, we are not known for an incredible employee and guest experience – in this arena, we are an ordinary company.  I believe we must have an employee and guest experience that is as amazing as our food to sustain our long term success.  We are working to transform ourselves to accomplish this bold goal – and have a concrete destination in mind of top-tier sales and profitability for the chain.

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

My first job after college was with Procter & Gamble.  I graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree and a Masters of Business Administration in August of 1978.  My university had an excellent placement office – and they ran a great process for interviews.  While I was pursuing opportunities in management programs at AT&T and General Mills, Procter & Gamble’s recruiting team contacted me and asked me to interview with them. They said the reason they called me was that I was President of my campus sorority. They were “looking for leaders.” It was a wonderful place to begin my career.

My second job was more difficult to land.  My husband and I were newlyweds and we made our first move to Boston, MA. He was going to school to get his MBA – I wanted to continue in my field of brand management.  There were very few companies to chose from – so I focused on the largest and best, The Gillette Company. It took weeks for me to find an opportunity to interview. I finally found a search firm that knew there was an opening in the PaperMate Division.  I wanted to work in the Personal Care Division, but I jumped at the chance to interview. I was offered the position and worked for some of the best leaders of my early career.

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

I wake up at 6 a.m. I’m not much of a morning person – I prefer to stay up late at night, but mornings are an important part of my day.  It is my only true quiet time of the day.  The first hour is spent reading my Bible and praying about the day ahead. I think about how I can best serve the opportunities on my calendar that day. The second hour is spent getting ready for the day, eating a good breakfast and talking to my mom who lives with us.  After two cups of coffee and my vitamins, I head to work or the airport.

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

On my thirtieth birthday, I was 9 months pregnant with my first child, living in New Jersey, working as a Group Brand Manager for Nabisco.  This was also the week that my five year business plan for LifeSavers and Breathsavers had to be presented to senior management in Norfolk, VA. I checked with my doctor, and with her approval, got on a flight to Norfolk to present my plan.  I had to cover my big tummy with the Wall Street Journal as I boarded the plane so as to not raise concerns about my impending delivery.  My presentation went great.  And three weeks later my life was forever changed by the arrival of a beautiful, healthy baby, Tracy Renee.

7) How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

My personality does not “unplug” well.  I’m always thinking and imagining the future. That’s good for business, but not good for relaxing.  I have two spots where I truly unplug.  One is our summer lake cottage in Northern Michigan. In the summer, it is cool, breezy blue skies on the shore of Lake Michigan.  I love to walk, sit on the porch, read, and sleep here. The second place that I truly unplug are on ocean cruises.  My husband and I take one every other year – often with our kids and my mother.  I love the beautiful views, the simplicity of unpacking just one time, and the fact that my cell phone seldom works here.

8) What was the last business book you read? 

The last business book I read was “Give and Take” by Adam Grant.  Adam Grant is a young, fabulous thought leader, teaching at Wharton University (youngest tenured professor). He gathered compelling data on the differences between leaders who “take” for themselves – and leaders who “give” for the benefit of the people and the enterprise.  It is a compelling treatise for leaders who want to both love the people and create superior results.

9) What is your “keep me going” quote?

The first quote is from Max Stackhouse, Professor Emeriti at Princeton Theological Seminary. In his book, On Moral Business, he says “increasingly business leaders will be the stewards of civilization.” His point is that our institutions, such as government, education, etc. may fail to lead us – and the responsibility may fall to business leaders be steward the world.  The implications of that idea motivate me daily to become a better leader. The second quote is from Albert Mohler, who wrote The Conviction to Lead.  He said, “Leaders are made by other leaders . . . who go on to make more leaders.” This is my personal purpose – to inspire and develop next generation leaders.

10) What is your secret indulgence? 

My indulgences are not very secret.  I love a clean, crisp glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc before dinner. And in the dessert category, I cannot pass up an incredible key lime pie.

Check out Cheryl Bachelder’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

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

This Q & A is with Ruthe A. Farmer the Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT). Ruthe leads strategy, development and partnerships at NCWIT and directs NCWIT K-12 Alliance. Previously she worked for The National Centre for Women & IT as well as the Girl Scouts in Technology & Engineering Education. She has a BA from Lewis and Clark College and an MBA in Social Entrepreneurship from Oxford’s Said Business School and sits on multiple boards / advisory boards.

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

Taking a break for graduate school in 2007.  I’d been working nonstop since my early 20s and it was great to step away and have an academic experience again. I did my MBA overseas, so it was an entirely new educational format and unparalleled opportunity to build international networks.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

Lucy Sanders, NCWIT CEO  – We had collaborated on projects while I was still at Girl Scouts of the USA.  We are very much on the same page about the value women bring to innovation and the importance of women being at the design table in technology. She has always believed in me and allowed me the freedom to pursue any idea I believe can be a solution for women in technology. This freedom to innovate has led to very disruptive initiatives which are now moving the needle for women in computing.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about something I am calling “Ethical Scale”.  There are so many excellent STEM education efforts, but they are often prohibitively expensive and require constant fundraising on the part of the schools, students, and parents, or are constrained by the location-based resources needed to deploy them. This perpetuates inequity of access for low-income and underrepresented students, and ultimately supports the status quo of the class system.  My goal is to get all the providers of STEM programs and especially the founders to be evaluating scale up efforts through a lens of equity and access – to ask themselves – can we scale this program ethically or are we leaving someone out?

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

I wake up with the sun – wherever I am. Once there is light, I am awake.  Sleeping is not my strong suit, as my mind rarely shuts down. That is both a blessing and a curse. I’ve written entire proposals in my sleep.  My brain does all the work and then I get up and put it on paper.  However, that means rarely shutting down. There is no ‘every morning’ for me, as I am often on the road and changing time zones.  Sadly the one consistent morning ritual is checking my email on my phone before I get up.  Bad habit.

5) How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I love to travel. You don’t have to ask me twice to go on a trip. Last year I went to Fiji, Sweden, Norway, Germany and twice to Hawaii.  I’m off to the UK in July and bringing together a group of women friends in Mexico in October.  I’m very opportunistic about travel. If a deal comes up or I get an invite to speak or visit, chances are I’ll rearrange as needed and just go. Memories and times with friends are timeless. You only regret the trips you don’t take.

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

I’m very proud of NCWIT Aspirations in Computing. It is already a powerful professional network for technical women, but the potential it holds to dramatically transform the tech industry is tremendous. This community is the only one of its kind, a group of technical women who have literally grown up together – numbering in the thousands, totally informed about their rights and potential as technical women, and prepared to negotiate their salaries and advocate for equality in the workplace. I’m looking forward to seeing what they will achieve in the next 10 years.

7)  What cause do you most want to advance?

I am interested in advancing women at all levels.  For women’s rights to education, autonomy, personal safety to be a topic of debate in 2015 is atrocious. Now is the time for women to lead. I’m particularly concerned about the safety of women on campus.  Sexual assault should not be an expected part of the college experience.  I refuse to accept that as a norm.

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

Right now, God Only Knows by the Beach Boys. I just saw the film about Brian Wilson’s life and his struggles with mental illness. Watching him bring that song to life from the visions in his head was magical.  The orchestration and combination of sounds and instruments is absolutely incredible.

9) What is your secret indulgence? 

Sometimes when I get a few days at home, I will hole up in my house and binge watch TV on Hulu. Most recently it was Orange is the New Black, but I also really like obscure UK shows.  Hulu is a treasure trove if you start digging in.

10) Who on the list of prior Honorees would you like to meet?

All of them, but if I have to prioritize, Jane Condon and Sheryl WuDunn.

Check out Ruthe A. Farmers full 40 Over 40 profile here!