Forty Over 40

Forty Women to Watch Over 40

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 13Qs for Nan Forte, LivingHealthy’s Chief Product & Content Officer

nankirstenforteWelcome 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 Nan Forte, LivingHealthy’s Chief Product & Content Officer. During her tenure at WebMD, Nan grew the WebMD audience from 1 million+ to over 120 million+ users monthly. In addition to audience growth, Nan also led efforts in the development of WebMd’s Symptom Checker — a first of its kind product designed to help people figure out what their symptoms mean.

1. What was a pivotal moment of reinvention for you?
I have had several and perhaps therein lies the key: When I pursued my rare Masters degree in “Biomedical Communications” in lieu of Medical School in 1984, at the age of 20 after 4 years of grueling Pre-Med, my family basically said, “If you drop out of Med School, you are on your own kid.” I immediately became a live in Nanny for room and went to night school and started covering my passion: the dialogue of health and wellness.

My second was leaving WebMD. That was planned by me and I knew it would be difficult as I had built a great reputation and was at the top of the corporate ladder. I knew I had to do it but then once I did it I truly had to grapple with my identity — I wanted it to be so much more than the “WebMD Lady.” When I left WebMD my best girlfriend said to me, “Haven’t you done enough? Rest already.” And I thought to myself, “I am JUST getting started.” I was turning 45 and I knew I wanted my next 20 years to be back in start ups. I wanted to fulfill my passion in all of wellness versus just illness. I left when I was 48 and I did truly fear being older and a woman and identity-less without my big title and platform. But that is when I actually truly found myself, after I released the big titles and got right back in the room with start ups and people half my age and it was the best thing I ever did.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?
Deborah Farrington and Laura Sachar of Starvest Partners are the most instrumental, positive, supportive, smart and truly authentic mentors I have ever met.

3. What is your biggest goal right now?
To “democratize wellness information and options.” At WebMD my goal was to “democratize medical information” for patients. At LivingHealthy — and other start ups that I advise — my goal/passion/purpose/joy is to help people get the most out of each and every day. This requires knowledge, access, support, and innovation.

4. How did you feel on your 30th birthday? What were you doing at that time?
I was joining a start up – iVillage and pregnant with my second daughter and raising my first!

5. How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
I practice yoga and meditation — the goal is to do both daily but the reality is every other day.

6. What’s the best networking contact you’ve made? How did you make it?
Jim Citrin of Spencer Stuart via Pat Fili Krushel whom I worked for at WebMD.

7. What challenge / achievement are you most proud of?
Becoming the Most Trusted Brand in America for WebMD (TrustZ Millward Brown) and winning the Delta Sigma Chi award for Non-Deadline Reporting for WebMD for 5 consecutive years.

8. What cause do you most want to advance?
Girls Who Code.

9. What song can’t you get out of your head?
“Ripple” by the Grateful Dead.

10. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
“Don’t be just a writer. Be an expert on what you write about.” and “You might have more impact NOT being a doctor.”

11. What is your “keep me going” quote?
“Because you gotta have faith.” And “People support what they help to create.”

12. What is your secret indulgence?
Pretzels and chocolate. And romantic comedies.

13. Who on the list of prior Honorees would you like to meet?
Everyone!

Check out Nan Forte’s full 40 Over 40 profile here!

Whitney Johnson

Whitney Johnson

Whitney is the author of the acclaimed Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream. She has been named on numerous Smart Thinkers and People to Follow lists by major media such as Inc. Magazine, Business Insider and Huffington Post and is quoted in Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fast Company, Forbes and more.
Whitney Johnson