Leadership is a highly sought-after attribute in today's rapidly changing world. Leaders who are able to envision a better future and inspire others to work towards that future are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals. However, it is important to note that being a visionary leader is not just about having a grand vision. It also requires strong leadership skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and manage teams.
Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that visionary leadership can also have its drawbacks. Leaders who are too focused on their vision may overlook important details or fail to adapt to changing circumstances. They may also be perceived as overly idealistic or unrealistic. Leaders must lead by example and model the behavior they expect from others. They must be ethical, honest, and transparent in their dealings with others and be willing to take responsibility for their actions.
Therefore, it is important for visionary leaders to balance their vision with practicality and flexibility. They must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and take into account the needs and perspectives of others. Overall, visionary leadership can be a powerful force for positive change, but it must be accompanied
by strong leadership skills and an ability to balance vision with practicality.
Leaders are often at the forefront of driving innovation and change within the organization. They must be able to identify new opportunities and adapt to changing market conditions to stay ahead of the competition.
Leaders provide a clear sense of direction and vision for the organization. They set strategic goals and objectives and communicate them effectively to the team. Leaders must be able to manage resources effectively, including financial resources, human resources, and technology. They must be able to allocate resources to maximize their impact and support the organization's overall goals.
Mapping the journey of these resolute leaders, CIOLook—through its latest edition, The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023 —sheds light on the visionary leaders who are driving betterments and transformations in the dynamic business arena.
Flip through the pages and indulge in the fundamentals of progress with elements of innovation. Have a Delightful Read!
Abhishek Joshi AbhishekJoshi
CONTENT
Deputy Editor AbhishekJoshi
Managing Editor Alex Spellman
DESIGN
Visualizer Dave Bates
Art & Design Director Ankita Pandharpure
Associate Designer Revati Badkas
SALES
Senior Sales Manager Sihanee M., Rouniyar A.
Customer Success Manager Jamie Walker
Sales Executives Brad Wilson
TECHNICAL
Technical Head Prachi Mokashi
Technical Consultant Victor Collins
SME-SMO
Research Analyst Eric Smith
SEO Executive Sagar Lhigade
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March, 2023
Pathfind pathfind.ca
Amanda is a very structured and organized individual who enjoys following processes and procedures, it’s no wonder that an Executive Search is her specialty.
Deloitte deloitte.com
The University of Western Australia uwa.edu.au
Aneri specialises in attracting the next generation of future leaders at Deloitte and guiding students through their early careers.
Dr. Parwinder Kaur is an award-winning scientist, a passionate leader, inspiring pioneer and positive role model in biotechnology with 15+ years of initiating and delivering research outcomes across a wide range of fields.
Newmont Australia newmont.com
Elle is a passionate advocate for diversity including increased female involvement and participation in the resources sector.
Aimmune Therapeutics aimmune.com
Fabiana Lacerca-Allen's passion as a compliance leader stems from values instilled in her at an early age and have helped to shape her career path as a global thought leader in law and compliance.
Gamestream gamestream.biz
Progressive Techniques, Inc. progressivetechniquesinc.com
Karen Seror is growth-focused and award-winning professional with extensive experience in managing all aspects of marketing and communications with keen focus on improving thought leadership.
Nancy is a transformational management and leadership development trainer and strategist who helps organizations leverage generations, talent, people and processes to positively impact the bottom line.
Sarah teaches neuroscience courses to students ranging from non-majors to seniors, guide students in research, and help develop the Neuroscience Department! Loras College lorascollege.com
MADGE AND MERCER
Modern Apothecary madgeandmercer.com
Shauna has spent the last 25 years building public exposure, awareness and momentum around causes and opportunities; ideas and concepts; industries and communities.
The Better Chocolate thebetterchocolates.ca
Susan is a passionate and driven marketer who excels in identifying powerful consumer insights that build winning new product ideas.
According to Dr. Kaur, it takes time to realize the impact of anything. However, the most signi�cant change that DNA Zoo brought about is in terms of making complex data and research accessible to the broader community.
Developing an integrated system for data production and analysis and training scientific leaders with diverse skill sets that blend biology, applied mathematics, computational linear algebra, and algorithm design, Dr. Parwinder Kaur is passionate about science and discovery.
As the Founding Director of DNA Zoo Australia at The University of Western Australia, Dr. Kaur leads crossdisciplinary biotechnology research investigating Earth's biodiversity and natural environments to ensure sustainable futures. She implements her expertise to reach people in new ways, connecting them with their surroundings.
Through her diverse research teams at DNA Zoo, Dr. Kaur harnesses STEM to achieve maximized impact. In doing so, she believes this will help us tackle the more significant issues we as a society are facing, bringing about solutions through fresh thinking rather than following usual norms.
Let us understand her journey in-depth.
Growing up, Dr. Kaur was always fascinated by the origin of life and the question of how and where it started. In pursuit of answers, she asked parents, teachers, and anyone else who could offer insight. To her surprise, everyone provided a different answer. However, the bottom line was that the true origin of life is still unknown, whether from a religious or spiritual perspective or a scientific viewpoint. There are many theories, but there is still a lot of experimentation and validation testing in the field. This is where Dr. Parwinder has been spending her time as well.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kaur has been working to unravel the biological mysteries of life through the lens of DNA which contains billions of letters and serves as the blueprint of life. How does this blueprint of life fit inside a tiny nucleus that is only 6 microns in size, yet every single cell of the human body, consisting of approx. 36 trillion cells, has the exact same information coded in? It is a complex subject, but it is also the highest level of programming that has allowed life to exist on this planet.
Her interest in these mysteries has driven Dr. Kaur's journey from the beginning to their current position as an Associate Professor and Director of DNA Zoo Australia, at the University of Western Australia, one of the world's most prestigious universities.
Dr. Kaur's journey has taken her to the University of Western Australia, one of the world's top 100 ranked universities. Situated in Western Australia. Western Australia is one of the first globally recognized biodiversity hotspots and boasts 10% of the world's biodiversity. This makes it an ideal location for Dr. Parwinder to comprehend the elements of life better. Dr. Parwinder considers it an absolute privilege to be part of this prestigious university with high-caliber faculty spread across several disciplines.
Dr. Kaur is the director of DNA Zoo Australia, which she established in 2019 as a part of a global consortium site for DNA Zoo. DNA Zoo Australia was established to study the bases of biodiversity through DNA lens for Australia and New Zealand, also known as Australasia, with the goal of having local engagement and access to the technology and knowledge of the global consortium.
According to Dr. Parwinder, there is a pressing need for conservation efforts as there are currently over one million species at risk of extinction. While humans have made great strides in producing the first map of the human genome, the DNA Zoo consortium has made it possible to map the DNA of a species for only $1000, with the same quality as the human genome map that cost $2.7 billion in 2009.
With the technological revolutions and the support of corporate partners like Microsoft and illumina, the vision of DNA Zoo is to provide foundational DNA knowledge towards conservation efforts. The goal is to provide the foundational resource of DNA information for all species on the planet.
Dr. Kaur advises individuals to be problem solvers and be open to learning everything instead of limiting themselves to a speci�c discipline.
According to Dr. Kaur, it takes time to realize the impact of anything. However, the most significant change that DNA Zoo brought about is in terms of making complex data and research accessible to the broader community. Usually, in academic organizations like universities, research is presented in complicated research papers, which are often behind the paywalls of journals. But with DNA Zoo's global consortium, they decided to release cutting-edge resources and data of several species rapidly by putting out simple blog posts and data in the public domain. This was a big challenge initially, as other academic organizations were hesitant to publish their data without peer reviewed publications in scientific journals. But she believed in leading by example and managed to bring in more partners onboard over time.
Dr. Kaur says, "The most significant impact of DNA Zoo is doing science for all without paywalls in a way that connects people and is accessible to Taxpayers who are investing in science. DNA Zoo is doing science in a way that is accessible to the public and for the service of the community and the ecosystems."
Dr. Kaur states that the DNA Zoo concept involves many different labs and is led by Aiden lab at Baylor College of Medicine, which is the home of 3D sequencing or Hi-C technology and Juicebox Assembly Tools.
In addition, leading a global consortium across nine countries and connecting with different partners was only possible with virtual platforms and tools to share data. Dr. Parwinder states that technology has played a significant role in making the massive vision of the DNA Zoo a reality.
“The long-term goal of the DNA Zoo concept is to have a foundational genomic resource available for every life form that shares the planet with us. This is because having access to this knowledge and information will help them in many ways, including scientifically and medically,” expresses Dr. Kaur
Additionally, Dr. Kaur mentions that studying other forms of life, such as the unique pregnancy-pausing abilities of marsupials in Australia, can lead to a better understanding of the natural abilities and characteristics of these species. There are species that are immune to severe diseases like cancer and some species have anti-ageing fundamentals, which can be examined to explore the facets to find a cure and understand the core aspects. The ultimate goal is not only to help these species but also to help humanity by unlocking the potential of the entire knowledge base and understanding it. Dr. Kaur and the DNA Zoo team are working hard to make this vision a reality.
Dr. Kaur believes that the careers of the upcoming generation will be vastly different than what they are now. With the ongoing changes, especially post-COVID, traditional professions such as engineering and IT will change significantly within the next five years. To prepare for these changes, Dr. Kaur advises individuals to be problem solvers and be open to learning everything instead of limiting themselves to a specific discipline.
She believes that problems can come from any field and require a combination of knowledge and skills from various fields to solve. This shift in approach will change the education system, the way people work, and the importance of teamwork. Dr. Kaur encourages individuals to be open to new ideas and seek help when necessary, as collaboration is essential for solving problems.
Exceptional leaders rise to the occasion during
difficult times, and in a rapidly changing world, it is crucial for organizations to not only have robust compliance programs, but the right leaders in the right place to ensure continued success. This requires exceptional leadership, one that is emphatic, intuitive, bold and is capable of influencing and inspiring others.
Exceptional leaders display strong emotional intelligence and seek to generate insight and knowledge through non-traditional ways such as experimentation, free exploration, improvisation, and rapid prototyping. Standing out with these traits is Fabiana Lacerca-Allen , Chief Compliance Officer of Aimmune Therapeutics , a Nestle Health Science Corporation .
Mrs. Lacerca-Allen currently serves as a Board of Director Member at Shield Therapeutics, the Red Cross of the East Bay, and The Center for Excellence in Life, and previously at ArthroCare Medical Corporation.
Mrs. Lacerca-Allen has been an executive leader within Top Fortune 100 companies. She has extensive experience delineating strategy, leading global teams, and negotiating, implementing, and executing corporate integrity agreements, deferred prosecution agreements and consent decrees.
Prior to joining Aimmune Therapeutics, Mrs. LacercaAllen held several leadership positions at Elan Pharmaceuticals, Mylan Laboratories, Bristol Myers & Squibb, Microsoft, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and AT&T Capital.
associated with serious and potentially life-threatening food, GI,
Mrs. Lacerca-Allen has been recognized by Compliance Week as Top Minds 2019, Hispanic Executive Magazine asLegal Industry Leader and by The Guardian as Women in Leadership, Inspiring Leaders among other recognitions.
In an interview with CIOLOOK, Mrs. Lacerca-Allen shares valuable insights that highlight her leadership and expertise in the pharmaceutical industry. Below are the excerpts from the interview:
Tell us about your leadership style and why is it effective during difficult times?
I am a highly intuitive leader; I grew up in Argentina during the military dictatorship to a family that opposed the dictatorship. I had the opportunity to see how the dictatorship and corruption in Argentina had negatively affected so many. My father was instrumental in restoring the democracy in Argentina
We’re inspired and humbled by the patients, families, and physicians who are managing the life-threatening risks
and metabolic-related diseases.”
Compliance Specialist Lucia M. Carrero-Rivera has been with Lacerca-Allen for many years: “I’m s�ll learning fom her and the amazing way she is able to navigate through difficult �m” Carrero-Rivera says. “She is the mosmost analal and strategic person I know who brings out the best in you even when you do not know it. Fabiana will give you passage to excel to the highest levels and has your back every step of the way. Her leadership is strategic and compassionate.”
Director of Compliance, Audi�n, and Monitoring Brenda Crabtree says her boss possesses in spades. “She is the best boss I’ve ever had, and I don’t say that lightly,” Crabtree notes. “Her leadership style is so unique, and her strategy is incredible and—from my perspec�e—one of her greatest strengths.”
“A corporate environment is a big ship, and a hard one to maneuver,” Hamm adds. “But she’s so nimble. Her risk assessment is based on true ac�e risks that are ever evolving, and she changes course on a dime to meet the needs of the business.” “I’ve grown and developed with her so much because, as a leader, she will stretch you,” Hamm says. “Both Brenda and I have been volunteered [or] told to do something, and we had to learn how to do it. The difference is that she may push you out of the nest, but she will never, ever let you smash on the concrete.”
Associate Director of Compliance Ta�ana Akers says, “I have also had the pleasure of working with Fabiana over the past eleven years, and she has earned my loyalty and respect through her outstanding leadership which includes pushing us out of our comfort zones, empowering us and giving us the space to flourish, and showing us that strong women can be not only fierce and effffece but kind and empathethe�c ell. I hope I never get kidnapped, but if I do, I am grabbing onto Fabiana un�l e figure a way out!”
Compliance Analyst, Neca Aguilar-Gomez, shares:
“As a young La�na who is in the early tages of their legal career, I can say whole-heartedly, Fabiana’s strength as a leader is unmatched. Part of her influence as a leader is that she sees your potenn�alar before you even realize it, and strategically places you in projects that she knows will allow you the opportunity to develop and grow. The beau�ful part about it is tht even if you are ques�oning whther or not you can do it, her faith and confidence in y you moates and inspires you to believe in yourself to get it done—and do it well!
Fabiana is a top-shelf execu�e because she is confident, strategic, empathehe�cesilient, honest and fierce. Working under her leadership is truly a life-changing experience, as it will alter your en�e perrspecte and reinforce the belief you have in yourself. It is rare that you meet—much less work for—such a unique leader who truly values you as a person and believes in your con�nued gowth, both personally and professionally. Fabiana is that leader.”
and was part of the first democratic government after the dictatorship.
When I was 6 years old, I told my father that I feared him being killed and he said: don’t worry about dying, we are all going to die eventually: worry about what you are going to live for and always remember that there are some things that are worth dying for….for everything else you need a plan. “
My passion as a leader stem from values instilled in me at a very early age and by experiences that shaped me into the leader I am today.
“I have had the privilege of working on Fabiana’s team for the past four years, and I can attest to Fabiana’s commitment to helping others and supporting future leaders by serving as a mentor. Mentoring takes time, which is a precious commodity, especially for someone at Fabiana’s level. She practices what she preaches in terms of her values, and that is very inspiring,” Shares Brenda Crabtree, Director, Compliance
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives you.
As a leader committed to making a difference, giving back to the community, inspiring future leaders and improving the lives of patients we serve, having the right team is paramount.
I have learned from many leaders, and I try to be the kind of leader that I admire and respect. I try to learn and emulate those leaders that I respect not only for their capabilities but for their human characteristics and leadership values.
The leaders I admire exercise emotional intelligence and they are very good at leveraging their strengths and weaknesses as well as those around them. Surround yourself with people that want to succeed with you, and find the right team is key.
I was interviewed by Dr. Patti Fletcher and published by The Guardian (add footnote with article) regarding assessing people’s character :” I know within two minutes of meeting someone whether or not I’d want to be kidnapped with them” It is about assessing the character, understanding their values and how the process information and react to their surroundings.
Every decision and action I take is informed by those values and by an unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Where do you envision yourself in the long run, and what are your future goals?
Professionally I love what I am doing at Aimmune and share our mission to help patients, their families and the communities we serve.
My Board positions are very exciting to me and another possibility to make a difference from a different place. I work with some incredible leaders, compelling leaders with a strong desire to make a difference and shape the environment and deliver on our promise of bringing innovative medicines to patients in need.
The business world has undergone a major
transformation in the last few decades. One of the most significant changes is the gradual rise of women leaders in the dynamic business arena. Women have made great strides in the corporate world, breaking down barriers and overcoming gender stereotypes. They have proved that they have what it takes to succeed in the business world and have brought new perspectives and innovative ideas to the table.
The gradual rise of women leaders can be attributed to a number of factors. One of the most important factors is the changing attitude towards women in the workplace. In the past, women were often seen as inferior to men and were expected to take on traditional roles such as homemaker or secretary. However, as society has become more enlightened and gender roles have become more fluid, women have been able to break free from these stereotypes and take on leadership roles in the business world.
Another factor that has contributed to the rise of women leaders is the increasing number of women who are entering the workforce. In the past, women were
often discouraged from pursuing careers and were expected to focus on their families instead. However, as more and more women have entered the workforce, they have been able to prove their worth and demonstrate their abilities to succeed in the business world.
The rise of women leaders has also been helped by the efforts of organizations that are committed to promoting gender equality in the workplace. These organizations have provided women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, such as mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and leadership training programs. They have also helped to create a culture that is more supportive of women and encourages them to pursue leadership roles.
The gradual rise of women leaders in the business world has had a number of positive effects. One of the most important is that it has brought new perspectives and ideas to the table. Women bring a different perspective to the workplace, one that is often more collaborative and empathetic. They are also more likely to prioritize work-life balance, which can be beneficial for both employees and employers.
Another positive effect of the rise of women leaders is that it has helped to break down gender stereotypes. Women are no longer seen as inferior to men or as being less capable of leadership. Instead, they are recognized for their abilities and are given the opportunity to prove themselves in leadership roles.
Despite the progress that has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women are able to succeed in the business world. One of the biggest challenges that women face is the lack of female role models in leadership positions. While the number of women in leadership roles has increased, they are still significantly underrepresented compared to men. This lack of representation can make it difficult for women to see themselves as leaders and can discourage them from pursuing leadership roles.
Another challenge that women face is the gender pay gap. Women are still paid less than men for doing the same work, which can be demotivating and can make it difficult for them to achieve financial independence. The gender pay gap is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted solution, including policy changes and cultural shifts.
In conclusion, the gradual rise of women leaders in the dynamic business arena is a positive trend that is helping to break down gender stereotypes and bring new perspectives and ideas to the workplace. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women are able to succeed in the business world.
Women are helping to increase diversity in modern industry. As more and more women enter the workforce, they are bringing different perspectives, experiences, and skills to the table. This can help to foster innovation and creativity, as well as make companies more reflective of the diverse communities they serve.
Organizations must continue to provide women with the tools and resources they need to succeed, and policy changes must be made to address issues such as the gender pay gap. With continued effort and support, women will be able to achieve their full potential in the business world and make an even greater impact on the global economy.
In the fast-paced business world, few traits make you stand out as a leader from the crowd. And yet, there are women who have not only made their mark in their respective industries but are standing out as admired leaders, role models and trailblazers in the business arena.
As an exemplary and inspirational leader , Karen Seror has been making waves in the gaming solution industry. Through her hard work, dedication and innovative thinking, Karen has been able to navigate the everchanging gaming industry and drive growth for Gamestream as its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Spearheading global marketing strategies for its clients worldwide is an exhilarating experience for Karen, with activations in our home city of France to as far as India to diverse parts of the world.
We at CIOLook, interviewed Karen’s to understand her leadership and strategic vision.
Let’s delve into the intercepts of the interview.
Please briefly describe your professional journey for our readers. What challenges did you face along the way?
My journey has been one that has been filled with dynamic reinventions, sensational twists and rousing moments. I’ve had the privilege of working with some of the most innovative and disruptive companies throughout my career.
With passion, determination and ambition, I climbed the proverbial ladder, starting as a Communication Manager for the web-hosting company jumping through the steps to Marketing Manager for Adobe Stock. For the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of being the Chief Marketing Officer for the world leader in B2B cloud gaming solutions, Gamestream.
As you can imagine, the lessons I’ve learnt support me daily at Gamestream. Leveraging the culmination of skills I have acquired throughout my career –adaptability, thinking outside of the box and agility, to name a few keeps my team and Gamestream one step ahead. Working with start-ups to leading marketing teams in big corporate groups has been pivotal in shaping the steps taken to elevate Gamestream’s continual evolution.
I also played a pivotal role in launching Gamestream’s consumer brand, Pleio, distributed by Bouygues Telecom. Pleio implements our proprietary tech and gaming experiences, including a community management offering. I was at the very start of the initial ideation of what Pleio can bring to the market, followed through to its launch and ongoing adoption by consumers.
For some, the “blank page” can be seen as a terrifying challenge. Although this may seem daunting for some, it excites me and gives me immense pride and satisfaction when I succeed in building something significant from scratch, regardless of adversities.
What significant impact have you brought to the industry?
Having worked with companies that have revolutionized and disrupted their respective markets, I had to imagine with my teams new and creative approaches to achieve success.
Success in executive leadership roles is a 24/7 job in itself. Mine is partly attributed to several key qualities that are commonly recognized in female executives. As a good listener and empathetic leader, I prioritize effective communication and believe in trust-building to foster a strong and cohesive team particularly valuable in international business contexts.
As a female leader in the gaming industry, I am passionate about empowering other women to succeed in this male-dominated field. To achieve this, when I started at Gamestream, I was the first female employee, and it was my mission to address and aid in bringing more women into this exciting company. By championing greater gender diversity and inclusion, we can create a virtuous cycle that benefits everyone in the industry.
Tell us about Gamestream and its foundation pillar.
Gamestream’s mission-Democratize and ensure high-level gaming experiences to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
The company’s purpose is built on the foundation of cutting-edge technology; for instance, we make cloud gaming possible even in low bandwidth environments at just 3mbps and on rudimentary devices. We want the world to enjoy the powerful medium of video games.
Another strong motivation for Gamestream for the future is to bring video games to the hospitality and healthcare fields. Inspired by the game Re-Mission, which has been shown to help young people navigate their cancer diagnoses and treatments, we at Gamestream firmly believe in the healing power of video games.
As such, we work closely with partners such as BePlayer One , which aims to make gaming more inclusive for people with disabilities, and L’École des Héros , which helps teenagers overcome social anxiety through games.
How does it promote workforce flexibility, and what is your role in it?
Over the past 20 years, I have seen the major changes in the make-up of startups to large-scale enterprises inspiring me with changing workforce attitudes. For example, Gen Z is quite inspiring in the way they view the workplace to transform the traditional hierarchical nature of the “office.” With greater respect put towards autonomy, in tandem, with the pandemic, more earnest is put towards improving the work-life balance.
At Gamestream, I have made it my mission to promote these practices, creating an environment where people can do their best work without sacrificing their personal lives. As a flexible leader, I have seen the positive impact of prioritizing employee well-being on productivity and innovation.
What is your take on technology’s importance, and how are you leveraging it?
First-hand, I’ve witnessed the rapid pace at that technology has reshaped the world. However, keeping the human factor at the forefront of our minds is crucial when developing new digital concepts by taking a holistic approach is essential in my viewpoint. Understanding the added value of a tool or innovation for your organization is important. Simply jumping on the latest trend can be risky and potentially detrimental to your business.
Therefore, it's essential to assess the potential risks to the business, ensure security protocols are in place, and determine if a simple swap will suffice or if a complete overhaul is necessary to stay ahead of the curve. Only by taking a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to technology implementation can we ensure that we achieve our desired outcomes and that our innovations serve the needs of our employees and customers alike.
What will be the next significant change in the Tech industry, and how are you preparing for it?
As the world becomes increasingly digital, it's essential for businesses to stay on top of new technologies like 5G and artificial intelligence (AI).
The video game industry is already feeling the effects of these advancements, particularly in the realm of cloud gaming. With 5G's increased bandwidth and speed, gamers can play anywhere without the need for expensive hardware or game purchases-this has ushered in the third revolution of video games, changing the way we play forever.
AI and deep learning are also significantly impacting the gaming industry. These technologies can help create smarter enemies and more dynamic obstacles, ultimately improving gameplay and enhancing the user experience.
However, it's important to approach new technologies with caution and a thorough understanding of their benefits and risks. Business leaders must carefully consider the added value of these tools for their organizations and their customers, as well as ensure that proper security protocols are in place.
We're constantly pushing ourselves to innovate and take the next step in our industry at Gamestream. Our
vision for the future is to industrialize our solution and become the go-to source for entertainment that combines Cloud Gaming with other media. We're already collaborating with other companies to make this vision a reality so that we can offer a one-stop shop for people to have fun with friends and family.
Our goal is to create an all-inclusive entertainment platform that brings people together and provides an unparalleled experience.
It's essential not to shy away from taking bold risks as a business leader. Throughout our lifetime, we have seen groundbreaking innovations emerge not because of complacency or fear but because of boldness and courage. Being a change agent and inspiring others at all levels is crucial to creating a diverse and dynamic future. By embracing new ideas, challenging the status quo, and fostering a culture of innovation, we can lead our organizations towards greater success and achieve our goals.
So, let's not be afraid to take that leap and be the driving force behind the next wave of transformation in our industry.
We're excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, and we're committed to delivering the very best for our customers.
Influential business leaders are those who inspire
and motivate others to achieve success. They possess certain traits and characteristics that set them apart from others. In this article, we will explore the key traits of influential business leaders.
Influential business leaders are visionary thinkers. They have a clear understanding of their organization's mission, values, and goals. They are able to create a compelling vision for the future and communicate it effectively to others. By having a clear vision, they are able to inspire and motivate employees to work towards common goals.
Visionary thinking creates a clear focus for individuals and organizations. It helps them to identify their priorities and goals and to align their actions accordingly. This focus enables individuals and organizations to work more efficiently and effectively towards achieving their vision.
Visionary thinking drives change. By envisioning a future state that is different from the present, individuals and organizations can create a sense of urgency and a desire for change. This can motivate individuals and organizations to take action, to try new things, and to drive innovation and growth.
It creates a clear focus for individuals and organizations. It helps them to identify their priorities and goals and to align their actions accordingly. This focus enables individuals and organizations to work more efficiently and effectively towards achieving their vision.
Influential business leaders have strong communication skills. They are able to convey their ideas and vision clearly and effectively to others. They are good listeners, able to take feedback and ideas from others and incorporate them into their own thinking. They also have the ability to inspire and motivate others through their words and actions.
Strong communication skills build strong relationships. By being able to communicate effectively, individuals can establish rapport with others, build trust, and foster a sense of community. This can lead to better collaboration, increased productivity, and improved morale.
Strong communication skills enhance leadership. By being able to communicate effectively, leaders can inspire and motivate their team, provide direction and feedback, and build a culture of trust and collaboration. This can lead to increased employee engagement, improved performance, and better results.
Influential business leaders are decisive. They are able to make tough decisions quickly and effectively. They are able to analyze complex situations and make decisions based on their experience, intuition, and data. They are also able to communicate their decisions clearly and effectively to others.
Decisiveness increases productivity. By making quick and effective decisions, individuals and organizations can save time and resources. They can avoid wasting time and energy on indecision or delay. This increased
productivity can lead to greater success and the achievement of goals.
Decisiveness improves problem-solving skills. By analyzing information and making decisions quickly and effectively, individuals and organizations can develop their problem-solving skills. They can learn to identify the root causes of problems, evaluate options, and take action to resolve issues.
Decisiveness builds confidence. When individuals and organizations make decisions quickly and confidently, they demonstrate their competence and expertise. This confidence can inspire trust and respect from others, leading to greater opportunities and success.
Influential business leaders are resilient. They are able to bounce back from setbacks and failures. They are able to maintain their focus and commitment to their vision, even in the face of adversity. They are also able to learn from their mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
Influential business leaders have high emotional intelligence. They are able to understand and manage their own emotions effectively. They are also able to empathize with others and understand their perspective. This allows them to build strong relationships with employees, customers, and other stakeholders.
Influential business leaders are strategic thinkers. They are able to see the big picture and develop strategies to achieve their vision. They are able to analyze trends, anticipate challenges, and develop plans to address them. They are also able to adjust their strategies as needed to respond to changing circumstances.
In conclusion, influential business leaders possess a unique set of traits and characteristics that enable them to inspire and motivate others to achieve success. By exhibiting visionary thinking, strong communication skills, decisiveness, resilience, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking, influential business leaders are able to create a positive impact on their organizations and the wider business community.
Effective leaders have a vision and know how to
communicate it effectively. A vision is what you want the team to achieve. It is usually explained in larger terms but is most effective when tied back to the greater good so that it serves to create a purpose for the betterments.
Leaders must know what the vision is for their organization and team and be able to bring that vision to life. At the forefront of this attribute is Suzie Yorke, a 25year veteran of the CPG industry who has worked at brand building companies such as Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, Kraft, Heinz and Weight Watchers. She also worked at two other hyper-growth brands prior to creating her own brand at age 50.
In an interview with CIOLook, Suzie shares her professional tenure and journey so far in the niche.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position in your company.
What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
I've always been an athlete (I'm an eleven-time Ironman competitor and yoga practitioner), but I hit a wall in my health in my late forties. After reading Nina Teicholz's best seller, Big Fat Surprise, I started to eat a high-fat, low-carb diet, and started to feel better almost immediately.
However, I found it challenging to find convenient, goodfat snacks. Seeing an opportunity to help others through food, I created Love Good Fats, a company that produces low-sugar foods loaded with good fats. I lead Love Good Fats to exceed $100 million in Gross Revenues in a little over 3 years, with sales in the largest retailers across Canada and the US.
I have recently launched my second startup - FourX Better Chocolate. This amazing company is the world's first Ecuadoran fair-trade functional chocolate, your daily dose of vitamins, minerals and supplements in one delicious, chocolatey bite.
It's a marriage of the finest Ecuadoran chocolate with the highest quality adaptogens, vitamins, minerals, ashwagandha mushroom, MCT oil, coconut oil, and 0g of sugar. I co-created this company with AOG Fine Foods founder and chocolatier Alejandro Castillo.
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge for most startups is raising capital. Given my background and ties, I've been very successful in this area, but getting funding is hard, especially for women. In Canada, women entrepreneurs receive 4 per cent of VC funding!! We are underrepresented among equity investors, representing only 15.2 per cent of Canadian VC partners and 16.7 per cent of Canadian angel investors.
Consumers have been hearing the same messages about food for decades, and it's time they were enlightened, and I feel that I've been doing that and making an impact.
Suzie Yorke
CEO and Co-founder
Tell us about your company and its mission and vision; how does your company thrive towards enabling advancements in the ever-evolving modern industry?
The mission of The Better is to create the best tasting and healthiest chocolate we can! We only use cacao beans that are harvested in the Bean-to-Bar Trade model and are Fair Trade Certified. These beans are grown in ultra-rich aromatic soil in the heart of Ecuador by an NGO co-operative of small farmers. As these unique gardens and farms are small, family-run little enterprises, the relationships we have created with them are meant for both the farmers and the company.
We feel strongly about doing the right thing as we bring our products to market by supporting the Ecuadorian community where our chocolate factory resides. We also want to ensure that the products we offer to the consumers are of the highest quality available, which is why we have a proprietary Bean-to-bar Trade model.
We use only the best beans available and roast them on-site at our factory. In addition, there are no chemicals, no alkali, no preservatives, no additives, no added flavours, and nothing artificial in any of our products.
With simple ingredients like Cacao Liquor and Butter, Whole Milk and Soluble Fibre. Infused with Vitamins, Minerals, Fibre and MCT oil which helps with the absorption of the fat-soluble nutrients. Thereby offering a product that is better for you but is also helping make the planet a better place.
Enlighten us on how you have been impacting the industry through your expertise in the market.
I feel I've really been able to do a good job calling out that "fat is back" with my first brand, Love Good Fats and "chocolate can be healthy" with my second brand FourX the Better Chocolates.
Consumers have been hearing the same messages about food for decades, and it's time they were enlightened, and I feel that I've been doing that and making an impact. Both my brands have been disruptive brands and have challenged the status quo in the marketplace.
Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.
As a proud LGBTQ+ woman, it is important for me to foster an environment and team that is super inclusive and with as many members as possible from the LGBQT+ community.
As well as focusing on diversity, I want to ensure that the office is a safe space, so I make sure everyone knows I am a lesbian and that the company supports diversity on all levels.
In addition, I feel that as a Founder, I have a strong responsibility to help make the world a better place through my brand. We only use cacao beans that are harvested in the Bean-to-Bar Trade model and are Fair Trade Certified. These beans are grown in ultra-rich aromatic soil in the heart of Ecuador by an NGO cooperative of small farmers.
As these unique gardens and farms are small, familyrun little enterprises, the relationships we have created with them are meant for both the farmers and the company. I feel strongly about doing the right thing as we bring our products to market by supporting the Ecuadorian community where our chocolate factory resides.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you advancing towards technological innovations to make your solutions resourceful?
Our factory in Ecuador is state of the art. That means having not just the right equipment but the right technology in place to make the best tasting chocolate possible!
The cacao beans are hand-picked, then custom sorted according to their size, and then they undergo roasting, conching and tempering. The manufacturing process takes about 24 hours. The chocolatiers monitor the flavor development every hour to ensure best-in-class results.
What, according to you, could be the next significant change in your sector? How is your company preparing to be a part of that change?
I think we will definitely see a change in the quality of chocolate in the very near future. We are leading that change more so than being a part of that change. We are educating consumers and getting them to appreciate that you don't need to add chemicals, sugars, and artificial flavours to make chocolate taste good.
If produced properly, chocolate tastes great without any of that. The Better Chocolate has bean-to-bar processing, which accounts for its incredible taste.
Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for your company?
We've just�launched and�started�to�sell our Functional Chocolates in Canada, and I'd love to see a fast start in the stores!�I think once people taste our delicious bites, there is no stopping the brand.�We also just started selling our Chocolate Vitamin and Supplements in the US and expect amazing results there as well.�
In the next five years, I have no doubt that we will be a household name and that in most cupboards across Canada and the US you will find either our Functional Chocolates bites or our Chocolate Vitamins but likely both!
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the dynamic industry?
What I tell everyone is to just "go for it"! There are always going to be a million reasons why the timing isn't right to start your own business. It's a huge risk, but if you believe in yourself and your service or product and you are willing to work hard, there is a good chance you'll succeed.
