Forty Over 40

Forty Women to Watch Over 40

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 10Qs with Nina Ignatius, Beibamboo Founder

NinaIgnatiusWelcome 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 weeks Q & A is with one of last years honorees, Nina Ignatius. Nina is CEO/Founder of Beibamboo, an organic babywear company dedicated to providing the essential items that answer the everyday needs of newborns while taking into consideration the special requirements of “preemies”.

Inspired by the birth of her premature child she realized there was a need and market for hospital friendly clothing that empowers new parents and nurtures newborns. The designs allow for dressing the child without removing tubes, saving staff time and proven to aid the child’s recovery. All the labels are on the outside so not to chafe sensitive skin, a patent pending seam, and adjustable sizes.

Beibamboo is running a Kickstarter Campaign to expand the collection to newborns and one-year old too, who are treated in hospital. You can learn more and get involved HERE:

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

Spending time with my preemie daughter at the NICU feeling totally helpless, struggling to do even the most basic parenting tasks like dressing her because of all the tubes and wires and cannulas. I thought there MUST be a way around this. And as there wasn’t a way, I created a way:)

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

I must say that one of our investors, Professor Alf Rehn, (The 2009 Thinkers 50,) who has also become a close friend, has always been there for me. Not always in business related matters, but especially as an honest friend.

3. What is your biggest goal right now?

The biggest goal is to make Beibamboo globally available, both for private persons and for hospital use. We are working with General Electric (who makes the worlds finest incubators) to find the right distribution path. (see blog from GE here; http://www.gereports.com/search/beibamboo)

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

I must say it is having been selected as part of the “40 over 40” in 2013, no doubt. I have two brothers, one is a lawyer and the other one a revisor / auditor. I opened a bottle of champagne that day and said “I guess none of us guessed that I was going to be the first family member who got a mention in Forbes..!”

5. What was the last business book you read?

The classic “Built to Last” by Jams C. Collins (who I had a chance to meet at a recent Nordic Business Forum dinner, organized by Professor Alf Rehn)

6. What cause do you most want to advance?

One of the things I despise most in the world is female circumcision. But I feel I can do more against it only when I am more successful and have the resources. Until then, I focus on the comfort and well-being of children, starting with the tiniest, most fragile babies … “preemies”

When I was watching my preemie daughter in the incubator, covered with tubes and wires, I felt so helpless as it was virtually impossible to dress her. It felt as if there was nothing I could do to make her feel better and that I was missing out on bonding with her. I really wanted to do something about it, as I sympathized with other parents struggling with the same dilemma.

I designed clothing for maximum comfort of the baby, while paying attention to what parents value too. As Beibamboo clothing has extendable sizes for your fast growing baby, and all labels on the outside and hardly any seams for comfort, you can, as a parent, know that at least the clothing is not the reason if your baby is grumpy or crying.

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

Hey Brother by Avicii. I love it.

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

This is a bit gross (but not)…I learned that in order not to get nervous around “important” people, all I need to remind myself of is that everybody poops. They are not so scary after that…It has helped me many times when for instance pitching to a big crowd. 🙂

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

“If you don’t ask, you don’t get”

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

I would like to meet them all! But at this stage, I think Joanne Wilson would be the first pick

 

 

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 10 Qs with Dr. Alissa Johnson

alissajohnsonWelcome 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 Dr. Alissa Johnson, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Executive Office of the President/White House.

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

The iPhone.  It changed the way I live, and how I manage data.

2.  Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

Emma Garrison-Alexander, former Transportation Security Administration CIO.

3.  What is your biggest goal right now?

Continue to improve government technology and to work with transformational CIOs in order to embrace the next generation of government technology.  

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

I set my alarm at 6:45 every morning, and snooze every 9 minutes until 7:03 am.  As I get ready, I skim the news highlights that are in my inbox and get on twitter to see what the 140 character snippets are for the day.

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

Being responsible for the White House technology services, as Deputy CIO.

6.  What was the last business book you read?

Leading the Epic Revolution:  How CIOs Drive Innovation and Create Value Across the Enterprise by Hunter Muller

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

I am a huge Judge Judy fan!  “Beauty fades, dumb is forever.”  Hence the PhD.

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

“The powerful play goes on and you must contribute a verse.  What will your verse be?” – Dead Poets’ Society

9.  What is your secret indulgence?

Starburst Crazy Beans

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

Michelle McKenna-Doyle, CIO of the NFL

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 8 Questions with Stacy Ratner

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

This weeks Q & A is with Stacy Ratner founder of Open Books, a nonprofit social venture that provides literacy experiences for thousands of readers each year through inspiring programs and creative capitalization of books.

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

Almost three years ago, my nephews were born. I don’t have children of my own and hadn’t thought I’d have the chance to be an aunt, so this was a moment of revelation and recalibration: I realized I wanted to be someone they would always be excited to see and proud to know, and that that would mean being present for them any time, any place, and in any way possible.

2)  Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

I am so, so lucky to be surrounded by the Open Books team, who continue to teach me about the challenges, possibilities, and rewards of what we do every single day. They sponsor this idea of mine with their time and talents, offer both practical and challenging mentorship, and provide unforgettable examples of what can be done by a group of people with a common cause and genuine desire to change things for the better.

3)  What is your biggest goal right now?

I am currently co-leading the initiative to open the Literacenter, a shared workspace and cause beacon for more than 80 literacy organizations across Chicago. In some ways, it’s the most significant project I’ve ever undertaken, because the goal is so big: we are determined to bring everyone who cares about this issue into one place to collaborate, communicate, and cooperate with each other towards our shared vision of a 100% literate city.

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

“It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it.” (Pirkei Avot)

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

I got my first job, which was an entry-level position in catalog production (copywriting and graphic design), from a classified ad in the newspaper. It was the last time I worked for anything other than a startup: my second job was co-founding a computer consulting firm with my brother, and every gig since then (including Open Books) has been an entrepreneurial venture as well.

6) What cause do you most want to advance?

I believe that once a person is fed, housed, clothed, and safe, the most crucial thing they can be is literate. There is no substitute for the ability to communicate through written language, which makes it possible to do everything from meeting basic needs through touching the future. I came to the field eight years ago with a naive appreciation of its potential and a willingness to submerge myself in it. Now, a little more educated and a lot more humble, I hope I will be lucky enough to spend the rest of my working life working on the cause of literacy, and making it possible for people at all levels to get involved.

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

My three favorite ways to recharge are to read mystery novels, to go to the park with my beagle, and to make quilts. (I do listen to audiobooks when quilting, but I think it still counts as unplugging. 😉 ) I try to do at least one of these things every weekend.

8) What is your secret indulgence?

I don’t have a lot of secrets, so everyone already knows: ice cream. I eat some every day.

You can read Stacy’s full #40over40 profile here and follow her on twitter here:

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 10 Qs with Joanne Kamens

jkamensWelcome 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 Dr. Joanne Kamens, Executive Director of Addgene, a scientific non-profit to accelerate research and discovery.

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

12 years ago while working in pharma, I realized that I had been at meetings all week and not sat in one meeting with a single other woman. I spent my life being treated equitably by parents, teachers, mentors and bosses, but in one realization, I woke up to what was happening to Women in Science. The pipeline was not leaking, it was gushing. Since then I have dedicated time to working on diversity in science and in the workplace for all underrepresented groups.

2.  Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

I have had so many mentors I couldn’t name just one. I have a posse of mentors who offer advice, connections and sponsorship whenever I need them. Right now I would say I learn a lot on a daily basis from the founders and leaders at my nonprofit company, Addgene. They keep me on my toes.

3.  What is your biggest goal right now?

Addgene has a unique culture of respect, diversity, professionalism and initiative. Right now I am focused on helping Addgene grow without losing the cultural advantages we enjoy as a mission driven nonprofit.

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

Connections, connections. My grad school advisor had connections in biotech and pharma and helped me get a few interviews–one turned into an offer at a company at which I enjoyed working and learning for 15 years. The second job came to me via a colleague. While having lunch, I told him I might be ready to make a change. He suggested I join his new start-up as Director of Research. I started at the biotech 4 weeks later.

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

I get up at 5:35 most mornings and head to the gym. I like to be at work before most people arrive to have a chance to spend a little time on a tough project and get organized before the day. Then I read my email—who doesn’t?

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

I felt great. I had just given birth to my second precious child. She was my best birthday present ever. I was working with a great group of scientists in pharma. We worked together to make sure we could all make progress at work and at home so I was enjoying success in both spheres.

7.  How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?

I am an observant, orthodox Jew so for my entire life, along with my family, I have kept the Jewish Sabbath for 25 hours each week. From Friday sundown to Saturday sundown each week, I do not use any telephones, computers, or travel any way except by foot. We enjoy leisurely meals, take walks, socialize with friends, play board games and read books. I don’t know how people who don’t take a day to unplug manage to resist smartphone addiction and spend quality time with their loved ones.

8.  What was the last business book you read?

I am reading The High-Velocity Edge by Steven Spear. I am thinking of doing some team building programs with my Management Team based on some of the principles in this book.

9.  What cause do you most want to advance?

I dedicate most of my free time to helping advance the cause of diversity and equal opportunity in science especially for women. A scientist has to be a scientist to be happy. We need to make the most of our talent and make sure all scientists can access diverse careers in which they will succeed and be able to contribute.

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

I keep listening to Ho Hey by the Lumineers in my car in the morning. It makes me happy and seems to complement my beautiful drive along the Charles River.

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Forty Over 40 Asks: 8Qs with Fran Hauser

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

This weeks Q & A is with Fran Hauser, partner at Rothenberg Ventures and former President of Digital at Time Inc.

 

 

 

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

I’ve experienced two pivotal moments of reinvention in my career. The first was when I left my Director, Finance role at Coca-Cola Enterprises in 1998 to join Moviefone. Although I didn’t know it then, this marked the beginning of a 15-year career in digital media. My time at Moviefone gave me direct exposure to many functional areas beyond finance, including product, sales strategy, technology and business development. It was this exposure that enabled me to ultimately become the General Manager at Moviefone after it was acquired by AOL and also led to several other GM/President roles at AOL and then at Time Inc.

My second pivotal moment happened just this year when I left Time Inc. to become a Partner at Rothenberg Ventures. I’m excited to work with founder Mike Rothenberg on building the fund and the trailblazing companies in its portfolio. Working with entrepreneurs is infectious. These are people who challenge the status quo and forge new paths because they believe they can change the world. As part of this, I’m also committed to changing the under-representation of VC-backed female founders.

2. Who has been a valuable mentor or sponsor?

Martha Nelson, former Editor-in-Chief at Time Inc., has been a champion and mentor of mine for the last eight years. She has, among other things, taught me the importance of using a human-centric approach when building consumer products, balancing strategy and execution, and maintaining a thick skin when it comes to office politics and “constructive” criticism!

3.  What is your biggest goal right now?

One of my mentors once asked me: If it were the end of my life, and there was only one question that God could ask me that I had to answer “yes” to, what would I want that question be? My response came to me quickly: “Did you have the greatest possible impact on those you love and on the world at large?” This is the mantra I live by.

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

I wake up at 6:30/7:00, have breakfast with my boys and try to get a workout in.

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

I love yoga (which I do once a week) and I am pretty good about taking 15 minutes during my commute to listen to music or a podcast. I also love spending time with my girlfriends; I always leave feeling happier and lighter.

6. What cause do you most want to advance?

I’m a passionate advocate for women and kids around the world, across a variety of topics including investing in women, human rights and adoption/foster care.

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

“Let it Go” from Frozen. I love hearing my kids belt it out especially in the morning when they first wake up.

8. What is your secret indulgence?

Dark chocolate covered peanut butter cups from Trader Joe’s!

You can read Fran’s full #40over40 profile here and follow her on twitter here: