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How do you maintain balance away from the workplace?
Reading–mostly non-fiction—and gardening, which is always a science experiment for me!
#NLWomenInBiz
Dr. Rhea Seddon — Former Astronaut, Author, Public Speaker, and Physician
A physician-turned-astronaut, -author, and -public speaker, Dr. Rhea Seddon has proven the sky, quite literally, is the limit to what she can accomplish. Seddon, a Murfreesboro native, turned her childhood dream of being an astronaut into a reality.How do you maintain balance away from the workplace?
Reading–mostly non-fiction—and gardening, which is always a science experiment for me!
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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How do you define success?
Success is loving what you do for a living.
#NLWomenInBiz
Tracy Gershon — Vice President of Artist and Repertoire, Rounder Records
Tracy Gershon, now the vice president of A&R (artist and repertoire) at Rounder Records, Gershon counts Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves among the country crooners she’s signed. Most recently, Gershon was elected as a trustee for the Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy, a selection she considers to be a great honor.How do you define success?
Success is loving what you do for a living.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What do you love about your job?
The constant creativity, the constant creation. The people I meet, the inspiration that I get from them.
#NLWomenInBiz
Maneet Chauhan — Co-owner and Executive Chef, Chauhan Ale & Masala House
Maneet Chauhan has a lot on her plate. She’s a permanent judge on the Food Network’s hit series Chopped, and she has successfully opened both a restaurant, Chauhan Ale & Masala House, and a craft brewery, Mantra Artisan Ales, with two more Gulch-area concepts to come.What do you love about your job?
The constant creativity, the constant creation. The people I meet, the inspiration that I get from them.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What advice would you offer to yourself at the beginning of your career (or someone else who might be starting out in your field)?
LOVE. Give it to your team, the people you serve. Each day, wake up and ask “whose life will be changed because of my work today? x93 It is the single-most rewarding task we must do. Tennessee Williams said it best: “We are saved only by love—love for each other and the love that we pour into the art we feel compelled to share; being a parent; being a writer; being a painter; being a friend. We live in a perpetually burning building, and what me must save from it, all the time, is love x93.
#NLWomenInBiz
Jaime Vernon — Founder and Executive Director, Songs for Sound
The founder and executive director of the nonprofit, Songs for Sound, Jaime Vernon turned a potentially devastating discovery—that her young daughter, Lexi, was deaf—into something beneficial. Using music as inspiration and a source of outreach, Songs for Sound strives to protect and restore hearing and improve the lives of those suffering from varying degrees of deafness.What advice would you offer to yourself at the beginning of your career (or someone else who might be starting out in your field)?
LOVE. Give it to your team, the people you serve. Each day, wake up and ask “whose life will be changed because of my work today? x93 It is the single-most rewarding task we must do. Tennessee Williams said it best: “We are saved only by love—love for each other and the love that we pour into the art we feel compelled to share; being a parent; being a writer; being a painter; being a friend. We live in a perpetually burning building, and what me must save from it, all the time, is love x93.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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How do you define success?
For me, success is peace of mind in knowing that I have done the very best I can to be the best me that I can. It is knowing that I have lived a life built upon family, faith and am leaving a strong positive legacy for others to build upon.
#NLWomenInBiz
Rita Johnson-Mills — Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Tennessee
In her current role as chief executive officer, Rita Johnson-Mills oversees operations and performance of UnitedHealthcare’s statewide plan, which caters to 600,000 TennCare recipients throughout the state of Tennessee. “What I love most about my job is the ability to make a difference, x93 she explains. “We see a real difference in the health and wellbeing—and even personal happiness—of the consumers we serve. x93How do you define success?
For me, success is peace of mind in knowing that I have done the very best I can to be the best me that I can. It is knowing that I have lived a life built upon family, faith and am leaving a strong positive legacy for others to build upon.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What have been the biggest challenges you've faced as a businesswoman in your industry?
As a young female in construction, I wasn’t exactly taken seriously. I had to work 10 times harder and be 10 times smarter to have the same basic options men would in business. In my mind, we are all valuable human beings. Some women get caught up in the statistics about not being treated the same as men and it can become a great excuse. I like to warn against the use of any excuses. If you want something, find a way to figure it out and get it done, no matter how hard it is.
#NLWomenInBiz
Britnie Turner — Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Aerial Development Group
To make ends meet at the height of the recession, Britnie Turner had a vision of revitalizing urban neighborhoods to establish more sustainable economies. Seven years later, Turner’s Aerial Development Group is thriving not only as a construction company, but also as a purpose-driven brand.What have been the biggest challenges you've faced as a businesswoman in your industry?
As a young female in construction, I wasn’t exactly taken seriously. I had to work 10 times harder and be 10 times smarter to have the same basic options men would in business. In my mind, we are all valuable human beings. Some women get caught up in the statistics about not being treated the same as men and it can become a great excuse. I like to warn against the use of any excuses. If you want something, find a way to figure it out and get it done, no matter how hard it is.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What advice would you offer to yourself at the beginning of your career (or someone else who might be starting out in your field)?
Relationships are everything. I upped my relationship management skills by watching the masters–seeing how top music and Hollywood agents manage demands from a large roster of clients in a single work day. It is important to focus not just on your peers and higher-ups, but on people at all stages in your business and community circles. Early on in my career, a mentor told me that you never know when the person you meet will become your next boss. Basically, treat others as you wish to be treated. That simple principle has served me well over the years.
#NLWomenInBiz
Martha Ivester — City Manager, Google Fiber Nashville
Before landing in Nashville, Martha Ivester had a career that took her around the world, working for Microsoft in Greater China and leading Nike’s global efforts as brand director of the Sydney Olympics. Wherever she is, Ivester is passionate about making an impact, and, with Google Fiber, that impact is abundantly apparent to Nashville’s burgeoning tech industry.What advice would you offer to yourself at the beginning of your career (or someone else who might be starting out in your field)?
Relationships are everything. I upped my relationship management skills by watching the masters–seeing how top music and Hollywood agents manage demands from a large roster of clients in a single work day. It is important to focus not just on your peers and higher-ups, but on people at all stages in your business and community circles. Early on in my career, a mentor told me that you never know when the person you meet will become your next boss. Basically, treat others as you wish to be treated. That simple principle has served me well over the years.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What do you love about your job?
Aside from the obvious benefit of working in such an exciting industry, I love that no two days are ever the same. I love the culture that we have created and the quality people that I have the privilege of working with every day. The people and the culture make the challenges fun to take on; the organization has been very good to me and I want nothing more than to do my part to continue to make the organization better and better.
#NLWomenInBiz
Michelle Kennedy — Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel, Nashville Predators
Both a lawyer and a certified public accountant, Michelle Kennedy brings her renowned business savvy to the rink as the executive vice president, chief financial officer, and general counsel for the Nashville Predators. Connections with business minds like Tom Cigarran and Sean Henry, respectively owner and chief operating officer of the Predators, have been invaluable to Kennedy’s journey with the hockey team—a journey she hopes will continue for years to come.What do you love about your job?
Aside from the obvious benefit of working in such an exciting industry, I love that no two days are ever the same. I love the culture that we have created and the quality people that I have the privilege of working with every day. The people and the culture make the challenges fun to take on; the organization has been very good to me and I want nothing more than to do my part to continue to make the organization better and better.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What advice would you offer to yourself at the beginning of your career (or someone else who might be starting out in your field)?
Don’t be afraid to ask people for help or advice. Find some trusted mentors, and learn from their experiences. The other advice I give LGBT people is to be your authentic self. Bring your whole self to work. Be authentic in your relationships.
#NLWomenInBiz
Lisa Howe — Executive Director, Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce
A champion of workplace equality and a proven leader in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, Lisa Howe serves as the executive director of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. “I can’t imagine doing what I do in any other city, x93 Howe says. “I love our members, I love their stories, I respect their talents, and I love what they do for the community. x93What advice would you offer to yourself at the beginning of your career (or someone else who might be starting out in your field)?
Don’t be afraid to ask people for help or advice. Find some trusted mentors, and learn from their experiences. The other advice I give LGBT people is to be your authentic self. Bring your whole self to work. Be authentic in your relationships.
Reserve your seat for the 2017 Women in Business luncheon (August 10).
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What are the biggest challenges you face as a businesswoman in your industry today?
The expectation to succeed at everything! Working women face such extreme pressure these days to do well in all areas of our multi-faceted lives, not only in their career challenges but also in how we raise and take care of our families and children, manage our relationships with friends, try to “look our best, x93 etc. It can be overwhelming trying to manage your time, communicate effectively, and stay organized while having growth in your career path—time management is critical to success and to own your accomplishments!
#NLWomenInBiz
Carrie Carroll — Vice President, PepsiCo
Carroll, whose career began working for smaller, family-owned food businesses, now serves as PepsiCo’s vice president. She attributes much of her success to teamwork, a skill, she says, that comes from fostering relationships with peers, bosses, and clients alike.What are the biggest challenges you face as a businesswoman in your industry today?
The expectation to succeed at everything! Working women face such extreme pressure these days to do well in all areas of our multi-faceted lives, not only in their career challenges but also in how we raise and take care of our families and children, manage our relationships with friends, try to “look our best, x93 etc. It can be overwhelming trying to manage your time, communicate effectively, and stay organized while having growth in your career path—time management is critical to success and to own your accomplishments!