Balancing Motherhood and Leadership

Imagine this: You wake up one morning, after years of dedication, to find you’ve been appointed Regional Sales Executive for Chase Bank. You’re now leading over 800 mortgage bankers, serving thousands of customers. Exciting? Definitely. Challenging? Without a doubt.

But here’s the twist: you’re also six months pregnant and a mother to a two-year-old toddler.

The picture is complete. Now tell me, how would you feel?

That's the life our Spotlight Hustler, Thasunda Brown Duckett , built for herself.

Before Thasunda became one of only four Black women in history to lead a Fortune 500 company, she was a hardworking and strategic professional who embraced every challenge head-on.

In 2009, she was unexpectedly offered the role of Regional Sales Executive at Chase Bank. Thrilled but aware of the enormity of the role, she accepted and immediately crafted a strategy. She built a robust operational framework, empowering her managers with a clear blueprint to keep the organization running seamlessly, even during her maternity leave.

Her strategic planning paid off. Thasunda excelled in her role for two years before advancing to National Sales Executive and eventually becoming CEO of Chase Auto Finance in 2013.

By 2021, she had broken another barrier, becoming CEO of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA), a Fortune 500 company. Today, she also serves on the boards of Nike, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, and the University of Houston.

Reflection:?

Thasunda’s journey reminds us that true leadership is not about carrying every burden alone but about creating strategies and building teamwork to achieve collective success.

As you soldier on in 2025, let her story inspire you to pair diligence with brilliant planning to make your dreams work.

Question for you:?

What lesson from Thasunda’s journey will you apply to your journey?        

Book of the Month

In the spirit of resilience and determination, this week’s recommendation is Estée: A Success Story by Estée Lauder.

Yes, she’s the iconic founder of a global beauty empire but this book is more than just a business success story. Estée Lauder shares her journey of building an internationally renowned brand from scratch, fueled by passion, ingenuity, and relentless perseverance.

This inspiring memoir serves as a testament to the power of dreaming big and taking bold steps to make those dreams a reality. Let it remind you that success is built one determined step at a time.

P.S.?Over the next three weeks, I’ll share lessons and actionable tips from this book with you. Remember, knowledge without action is wasted potential. The goal is to transform what we learn into tangible results. Let’s make it a date next week. See you then!??

Video of the Week

Gain insights from Rosalind Brewer, former President of Starbucks and CEO of Walgreens and Sam’s Club, as she shares actionable steps for fostering true diversity and inclusion in your workplace and community.

Affirmation of the Week

?As we step into the New Year, let’s focus on the power of strategy and planning:

"I will commit to creating actionable plans that transform my aspirations into achievements."        

Success doesn’t come from simply working harder but from working smarter.

Let this affirmation put a spring in your step as you walk boldly this week.??

Empower yourself to Empower others

Have you noticed how the people around you feel more inspired when you step into your courage? That’s because when we embrace our bravery and let our light shine, we encourage others to do the same.

Are you ready to shine your brightest in 2025?

Check out our EmpowerHer programme. It is designed to help you launch your digital business seamlessly.

The next cohort starts January 2025. Don't miss this opportunity to take your dreams to the next level!