Forty Over 40

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 3Qs for Melissa Goidel, Chief Revenue Officer, Refinery29

melissagoidelWelcome 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 Melissa Goidel, the Chief Revenue Officer for Refinery29, Digital Media. As Chief Revenue Officer, Melissa has successfully taken Refinery29 from a fashion and style website catering primarily to fashion advertisers, to a multi-platform lifestyle media company that reaches and engages millennial women. Goidel started her digital career at Yahoo, overseeing Yahoo Financial Services Sales as RVP. She also worked at Time, Inc., InStyle, and Entertainment Weekly digital.

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

On a professional basis, I believe reinvention happens when you push yourself to the most uncomfortable place and take risks. I’ve done this repeatedly in my career. The first time was leaving traditional media and going to Yahoo in 1998, the second time was leaving Yahoo to go to People and help them reinvent themselves as a digital company, the third time was leaving a job where the name on my business card was as prominent as my own personal brand to a complete startup where my name defined the company’s reputation. And ultimately, selling that company was an incredible achievement. Finally, coming to Refinery29, my most exciting experience ever, is about channeling what I personally stand for as a woman in this business. Now for the personal part; being able to show my three sons how you can have work/life balance because you love your job is the moment of payoff that came from this pivot.

2) Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

The most valuable sponsor has been my husband, Jonathan. I rely on his council, wisdom and the best unbiased-but-biased opinions as we’ve built a long, happy life together. I’ve made good decisions for myself and my family in business with him as my sounding board.

3) What is your biggest goal right now?

At Refinery29, we are building the new media company for THIS generation of women, globally. Thats a big endeavor. Opening Europe, then Asia is a big part of our focus as a team. I am very excited to bring this opportunity to find makers, patrons, employees and fans and build a sharing culture where we not only contribute but absorb into our brand the voices of women around the world.

Check out Melissa Goidel’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