What #40over40 Means To Me: Diane Danielson, COO Sperry Van Ness

We are thrilled to announce call for nominations for the 3rd Annual List of 40 Women to Watch Over 40! As we are looking forward to learning about more amazing women who are disrupting, innovation and forging new paths for women in front and behind them, we took time to check in with some current honorees to find out what #40over40 meant to them. The first in this series of posts is with Diane Danielson, a 2013 honoree and Chief Operating Officer for Sperry Van Ness Int’l Corp.

What did it mean to you to receive this honor?

While I personally was honored and enjoyed the fact that you were celebrating women in the prime of their years, the reaction from my company surprised me. I work in a male dominate industry (which of course I’m trying to disrupt with both technology and gender), but they were really impressed with this honor. Awards do matter. As more women move into leadership roles it’s a great differentiator to be rewarded at a key time in our careers, not just at the beginning and the end.

What role models / mentors helped you reach this point?

My mentors and role models are my business girlfriends and peers. There are too many to list, but if they are reading this, they know who they are! They are women just like the others in the 40 over 40 list. This doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate the women who went before us. I am thankful to them every day I go into the office and take my place at the table. But, they had a different battle. My peers are the next wave. The sexism is more subtle, but still there, and the challenges are a little different. It’s our mission to not just be the token woman, but to even the playing field.

How can more women become involved in disrupting?

Disrupting is simply problem solving. Women are fabulous at that. Just ask a working mom! What helps is having awards like this to shift the public perception so that they too see women as disrupters and innovators.

Who inspires you? Nominate them here

Tweet: Help us celebrate #innovation at every age. 2015 nominations are open for Forty Women To Watch Over 40! http://fragile-line.flywheelsites.com/nominate/ #40over40

Diane Danielson is the Chief Operating Officer for Sperry Van Ness Int’l Corp., tweeting about #CRE, leadership, social media, and sometimes soccer. Follow her on twitter @DianeDanielson