Retired, Former President - Vollrath Associates

Q: What unique qualities do you believe sets you apart as a leader and woman of influence?
A: I've observed key qualities in many women leaders that I've learned from and tried to reflect in my own life and career: Know yourself, don't try to be someone you aren't. Respect everyone. Be empathetic, show you care. Keep your radar out for new ideas and trends. Engage with others to get things done. When in doubt, go with your gut.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path?
A: The decision to go from a corporate career to co-founding and growing my own communications business was a big pivot for me. It was a big risk and it wasn't easy by any means, but being an entrepreneur enabled me to plot my own future. Having a wide variety of clients, I was able to learn a little bit about a lot of industries, products and services, and to engage with a lot of very smart people. All of this in turn benefited both me and my company.

Q: How do you define leadership, and how do you embody those qualities in your own life?
A: A good definition I found recently is that leadership means taking responsibility for aligning individuals to work towards a desired outcome. Good leaders have vision and the ability to inspire, influence and collaborate with others. They are skilled communicators who can effectively motivate and lead a wide range of people with different backgrounds. I've always worked to build these capabilities into my own leadership style and approach.

Q: How do you pay it forward and support the next generation of leaders?
A: Being part of TEMPO's 50th anniversary gives me the opportunity to share my story from the early days of TEMPO to today. Many of the defining characteristics that TEMPO's founders built into the organization are as relevant today as they were then. I'm confident that this strong, proven and successful foundation will carry us into the next generation and beyond.

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