ExecThread

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who’s a #CEO. Today we spotlight Patrick Venetucci, CEO of IZEA, a leader in #InfluencerMarketing, and former President of dentsu and Leo Burnett, who shares some insightful #career tips with us. 1. Who are you? What’s your headline? “I'm a transformational #growth CEO who orchestrates courageous leaps. Some companies are not stretching themselves enough, which leads to becoming a "lifestyle" business. Other companies are jumping at #opportunities, but stretching their resources too far thereby putting their people in peril. I lead teams to make courageous leaps with an emphasis on strategic clarity, organizational alignment, #tech #innovation and most importantly inspiring people to reach higher.” 2. How did you find/secure your current CEO role? “Like most roles, it was serendipity. I was on the board of IZEA and there was a unique situation which created an unexpected #management vacuum. I quickly volunteered to step into the CEO role and am grateful to have this #opportunity to contribute to the growing Creator Economy.” 3. What’s been the hardest part of being a CEO? “Business rarely goes up and to the right in a smooth straight line. There are lots of unexpected zigs and zags along the way where CEO's are faced with making decisions with unpleasant consequences. It's hard, but necessary to make these kinds of decisions.” 4. What’s been the most fulfilling part of being a CEO? “I enjoy creating. I've asked my #leadership teams to imagine us sitting around a pottery wheel with our hands on the wet clay actively moulding it into a beautiful thing. I find it professionally fulfilling to be able to touch and shape all dimensions of a #business: the story, #customers, #people, #product, and #profits.”   5. “Everyone wants to be in the driver’s seat, but no one truly knows what it means to be in the driver’s seat (until you’re in it).” What does this quote mean to you? “Being a CEO carries a tremendous amount of #accountability. Don't seek to be in the chair unless you are willing to be accountable. It's important to be accountable to multiple #stakeholders during good and bad outcomes.” 6. What person in your life, living or deceased, has inspired you the most (and why)? “I continue to be inspired by my Father who passed away earlier this year. There are different types of Dad's out there. Sports dads. Beer dads. Hip dads. Tech dads. My Dad was a kind dad. The world would be a better place if we had more #kindness today.” 7. What’s your advice to the next generation of business leaders, in 5 words or less? “Pick your partners with purpose!” Please join us in thanking Patrick Venetucci for his great #advice; and if you’d like to find a new #ceo #opportunity there are >550 active CEO searches currently posted on ExecThread - see: https://lnkd.in/gx5PQkBi #clarity #courage #purpose

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who recently secured a #Board role. This month we spotlight Ali Cudby, Founder & CEO of Alignmint Growth Strategies, and author of top-selling #Sales & #Marketing book, “Keep Your Customers”. 1) Who are you, what’s your headline? “I help companies improve post-sale #customer experiences. Throughout my career I’ve seen companies under-lever opportunities to make customers feel valued, which shortchanges #retention & #growth. It’s an expensive mistake. Beyond work, I’m usually #outdoors with my 3 dogs.” 2) What are you passionate about?
“I’m passionate about a life well-lived. To me that includes both work & play, although historically I’ve tended to skew much more toward work. With time and maturity I’m learning that #fun, and truly unplugging, makes me better at #work (and better at life).” 3) What Board are you currently on, and how did you first find out about the #opportunity?
“I recently joined the board of University Pathways International (UPI), a #startup that makes higher #education more accessible & affordable for #international students by enabling them to earn transfer credit toward degree programs in Canada, the U.S., and UK. I connected with UPI because the CEO was my student when I taught #Entrepreneurship at Purdue University. After he graduated we stayed in touch, I advised him informally, and I believed in the mission - so joining the board became a natural next step.” 4) What advice would you give someone trying to secure their 1st Board role?
“Getting a board seat has two key components: 1) focus on others and 2) focus on yourself. Initial board seats are a relationship game. Be willing to invest energy & time in authentically helping people, with no expectations or strings attached. Then, clarify your unique #value in helping a company #grow to the next level & beyond.” 5) What’s your favorite quote?
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
- Maya Angelou 6) Career advice in 3 words
“#Believe in yourself” 7) Anything else to add?
“It’s easy to get distracted by the “shoulds” in your career. We spend a lot of hours working, and those hours are going to feel a lot longer if your decisions are based on external voices and expectations. Carve your own path. Don’t “should” all over yourself.” Please congratulate Ali Cudby on her many #career accomplishments, and thank her for the sound #advice. If you’d like to find Board role #opportunities there are >140 of them currently posted on ExecThread; see https://lnkd.in/gGN7k7w #helpful #mindful #thoughtful

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who’s a #CEO. Today we spotlight Geoff Watson, CEO of NCFDD, the leading provider of professional development in #highereducation, who shares some insightful #career tips with us. 1) Who are you? What’s your headline? “I’m a #mission-based leader, who builds-and-grows education & #learning #tech companies that can change people’s lives.” 2) How did you find/secure your current CEO role?
“Someone referred me to a recruiter, who was leading the search. Interestingly, I was actually introduced very late in the process, and the stars aligned.” 3) What’s been the hardest part of being a CEO?
“The hardest, yet most rewarding, part of being a CEO is changing mindsets on the #team and, bit-by-bit, shifting the #culture.” 4) What’s been the most fulfilling part of being a CEO?
“I’ve spent nearly my entire career working for founder CEOs, which can be amazing, but also a bit frustrating at times. I’m now in a unique situation whereby I need to bring together all my #skills as a #leader, and define the #strategy and direction - and regardless of the outcome I have no one to defer to but myself.” 5) “Everyone wants to be in the driver’s seat, but no one truly knows what it means to be in the driver’s seat (until you’re in it).” What does this quote (from an unnamed #VC) mean to you?
“It speaks to the loneliness of being a CEO. You need to be OK with the idea that no one has automatic #empathy for what you’re going through, not the people who work with you nor the Board you report to. My approach to this challenge is to build #relationships, and give people a window into how you feel and think.” 6) What person in your life, living or deceased, has inspired you the most (and why)?
“I’ll stick with my #college essay answer: John Lennon. While an imperfect human, he changed #music forever, was constantly creating and evolving, and he wasn’t afraid to stand-up for the things in which he believed.” 7) What’s your advice to the next generation of #business leaders, in 5 words or less?
“Figure out who you are.” Please join us in thanking Geoff Watson for his great #advice; and if you’d like to find a new #ceo #opportunity there are >500 active CEO searches currently posted on ExecThread; see: https://lnkd.in/gx5PQkBi #EdTech #HigherEd #ThoughtLeadership

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who recently secured a #Board role. This month we spotlight Sandra Lopez, former Intel Corporation and Microsoft executive; and Board member at multiple companies. 1. What’s your ‘Headline’? “I’m a builder at heart, passionate about partnering with companies to foster #growth in a way that is scalable and with #integrity. As I help companies expand I find great fulfillment in supporting the personal & professional development of the people within them.” 2) What are you passionate about?
“I’m deeply committed to lifelong #learning, embracing the role of a perpetual student in both my professional & personal life. I’m driven by a #passion for absorbing #knowledge from exceptional leaders, diving into thought-provoking books, #music and #art; and tackling complex challenges that push the boundaries of my understanding. This lifelong commitment to #learning extends beyond the external; I’m equally devoted to introspection & self-discovery. Understanding myself better allows me to strive for a life of true fulfillment and bliss, aligning my actions with values and continuously evolving on a personal level.” 3) What Boards are you currently on, and how did you first find out about the opportunities?
“I currently serve on the boards of PureRed (a #privateequity-backed company focused on digital #marketing), and Junior Achievement USA (a #nonprofit organization focused on helping young people discover what is possible). Both #opportunities were presented to me via my professional #network. The boards were specifically looking for an executive with proven experience in #digital transformation and the ability to build & transform organizations, and I was honored to be selected for these roles.” 4) What advice would you give to someone trying to secure their 1st Board role?
“Identify your unique value proposition — how can you best serve the company? Once you have clarity on that, craft a strong board bio and share it with your network and let them know that you’re open to and interested in exploring board opportunities.” 5) What’s your favorite quote?
"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits, rebels, troublemakers, and round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them."
- Inspired by Jack Kerouac “On The Road” (and made famous by Apple) 6) Career advice in three words? ”Ask For Help” 7) Anything else you’d like to add?
“Your thoughts become your beliefs, so choose to think positively, even in the face of adversity. Like athletes who visualize the winning shot when they're down, focus on #success.” Please congratulate Sandra on her many #career accomplishments and thank her for the #advice. If you’d like to find Board role #opportunities there are >160 of them currently posted on ExecThread; see https://lnkd.in/gGN7k7w #inspiration #motivation #introspection

ExecThread is thrilled to announce that we made this year’s annual Inc. Magazine list as one of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in America! ExecThread ranked #524 on the list, with the top 500 companies averaging a median 3-year revenue growth rate of +1637%. This is the 1st time in our company’s history that ExecThread has earned a place on the #Inc5000 list, and we hope to be back on the list next year, and for years to come. This achievement reflects the #commitment and #dedication of our employees, and their #passion in helping executives discover life-changing #jobs. We’re humbled by this recognition, and #grateful to everyone who has contributed to our #success over the years! See press release here: https://lnkd.in/erU8m4FN #onward #upward #appreciative

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who’s a #CEO Today we spotlight Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters, who shares some #career tips with us. 1) Who are you? “Husband, Dad, Mentor, Wanna-Be Chef, #Exercise Enthusiast, TV & #Sports Lover and on the side I’m President of the Globetrotters & Herschend Family Entertainment” 2) How did you find your current CEO role? “An awesome recruiter reached out in Oct ‘21; I started in Jan ‘22.” 3) What’s been the hardest part of being a CEO? “The Globetrotters had been operating a certain way for decades. Past #leadership had a singular vision of the Harlem Globetrotters as ONLY a tour. The challenge and #opportunity has been setting a new brand vision and getting buy-in throughout the organization. Some immediately got on-board, some took time and some never got on-board. Setting #strategy is part of the job; I find it challenging & thrilling.” 4) What’s been the most fulfilling part of being CEO? “We started the work of transforming the Globetrotters from a “tour only” business to a multifaceted global #entertainment brand and soon after the “wins” started coming. We produced the Emmy nominated series “Harlem Globetrotters: Play it Forward” with Hearst Media Production Group, signed a global licensing deal with IMG, brought Spalding in as a new global ball partner, launched a CSR initiative with partners like Microsoft, Comic Relief US & the U.S. Department of State, announced a residency at American Dream and we’ll broadcast a game with Gray Media, the first time the Globetrotters will be on live TV in >40 years.” 5) “Everyone wants to be in the driver’s seat but no one truly knows what it means to be in the driver’s seat, until you’re in it.” What does this quote mean to you? “It’s one thing to say to you want it but it’s important to have self-awareness and an understanding of what you want out of life. There are different ways to be “in the driver’s seat” and my career has always had to compliment the things that are most important to me which is my #family. I’ve been fortunate to work in companies that helped me to achieve #careergrowth while allowing room for me to be a very present husband, father & friend.” 6) What person in your life has inspired you the most & why? “My grandmother EllaRae Saunders, who’s not with us anymore. A black woman born in 1918 in the segregated, Jim Crow south. How did she navigate from being a granddaughter of slaves to becoming a restaurant owner in Ridgewood, NJ, a philanthropist (she started two scholarship organizations) and a pillar of the #community? Her spirit & sheer will were incomparable.” 7) What’s your advice to the next generation of business leaders, in 5 words or less? - “It’s will more than skill” Please join us and thank Keith Dawkins for his great #advice. If you’d like to find a new #ceo #opportunity there are >300 active CEO searches currently posted on ExecThread; see: https://lnkd.in/emCbDhSU #inspiring #basketball

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who recently secured a #Board role. This month we spotlight Tia Newcomer, CEO of CaringBridge & board member at multiple companies. 1) What’s your Headline? I’m a #mom, wife, CEO and Nebraska Husker who loves the #outdoors with my white lab, Luna. I have a career of leading strategic #pivots, driving #transformation and creating value at companies that care about #humanity. 2) What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about authenticity and real conversations. Vulnerability creates connection. Integrity is everything. And transparency creates trust, which gets results. A friend once said, “#Success without fulfillment is the ultimate failure.” This sticks with me as I make career decisions. 3) What Boards are you on and how did you find out about the opportunities? Beyond serving on CaringBridge’s board, I’m a board member for Inherent Biosciences, Inc., a #biotech company pioneering epigenetic medicine for diagnosing & treating complex diseases starting in reproductive #health. I’m on the Advisory Committee for American Cancer Society’s National Breast Cancer Roundtable, on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism & Mass Communications and on the New Member Committee of the National Charity League, Inc. board, a multi-generational #philanthropy that donates 3 million hours/year to charities. All these #opportunities came to me via my #network. 4) What advice would you give someone trying to secure their 1st Board role? You must put in the work and create space to build a personal strategic plan of action for Board service. This includes nailing your elevator pitch and prioritizing the types of boards you want to be on (public, private, non-profit) which leads to a clear board bio/resume. This is a very different process than getting your next c-level role. There are many good board prep programs; feel free to ping me for referrals! 5) What’s your favorite quote? “What you do today is important because you exchange a day of your life for it.” - Todd Newcomer, my husband (who’s a two-time cancer survivor); this is his quote which grounds many of our choices 6) Career advice in 3 words? Always be learning. 7) Anything else you’d like to add? Do the work & never settle. There’s always a choice - so respectfully challenge the status quo to create new thinking, tell great narratives and inspire others. I also recommend a book that I often turn to: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Speaking of, I find it easy to: 1) be impeccable with your word, and 2) always do your best; but I struggle with and aspire to: 3) not take things personally, and 4) not make assumptions (assume positive intent). Please congratulate Tia for her many #career accomplishments and thank her for the advice. If you’d like to find Board role #opportunities there are >150 of them currently posted on ExecThread; see: https://lnkd.in/gGN7k7w #careerinsights #boardofdirectors

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who’s a #CEO Today we spotlight Richard Fogelman, CEO of NSI - National Security Inspectorate who shares some #career tips with us. 1) Who are you? “I’m the CEO of NSI (UKs leading #security certification body); former CEO of Grief Encounter (UKs largest bereavement #charity) and previously managed #operations at Hammerson, UKs largest #shopping centre. I also have a Guinness World Records pending as the world’s fastest letter counter. I’m a husband, father of 3 and #sports fanatic.” 2) How did you find your current role?
“I was searching for a new role and grew tired of lengthy applications and lack of recruiter responses so I took a different path. I uploaded my CV to LinkedIn and started using their Easy Apply feature that enabled me to quickly apply for a large # of roles and I successfully landed a #job due to this!” 3) What’s the hardest part of being CEO?
“You have to make critical decisions with incomplete information, balancing risks & rewards. Leading a team of varying strengths & weaknesses requires strong #communication, #empathy and the ability to #inspire. #Learning from failures and being #resilient is essential. The weight of of the company rests on you and this pressure can be intense and requires a unique set of skills to navigate effectively.” 4) What’s the most fulfilling part of being CEO?
“The ability to shape the #vision of the company; its very rewarding to see ideas come to life and make an impact. Leading a team, fostering a positive #culture and seeing employees grow is satisfying, and making decisions that drive #innovation provides a big sense of accomplishment.” 5) “Everyone wants to be in the driver’s seat but no one truly knows what it means to be in the driver’s seat until you’re in it.” What does this mean to you?
“It means many people aspire to be CEO because it seems attractive but the reality is more complex & challenging than it appears. It highlights the difference between perception & reality. When you're in the driver's seat you face the weight of responsibility, and #leadership challenges aren't fully understood until you see them firsthand. It’s important to understand the reality of a role before aspiring to it, and realize leadership comes with rewards & responsibilities.” 6) What person has inspired you most?
“Steve Jobs. He was a visionary in the pursuit of excellence. He was innovative, creative, resilient and inspired people to achieve more than they thought possible. His style, while demanding, brought out the best in his teams and drove Apple to become one of the most innovative companies.” 7) What’s your advice to the next generation in 5 words or less?
“Innovate, lead with #integrity, adapt.” Please join us in thanking Richard Fogelman for his great #advice; and if you’d like to find a new #ceo #opportunity there are 300 active CEO searches currently posted on ExecThread; see: https://lnkd.in/emCbDhSU #inspirational #aspirational #practical

Each month we highlight an ExecThread member who recently secured a #Board role. This month we spotlight Kevin Wassong - current CEO of mktg.ai and founder & Managing Partner of INTEG:Advisors. 1. Who are you? What’s your ‘Headline’? “I'm a compulsive #founder, #innovator and advocate for brands & marketers. I’m the former Founder & CEO of OneMobile (acquired by Nexstar Media Group, Inc.), digital@jwt (within J. Walter Thompson Worldwide), and my current venture is mktg.ai which merges #passion with #purpose - blending #AI, #creativity & #technology to make #marketing more efficient.” 2) What are you passionate about?
“First & foremost I’m most passionate about my family. I want to see them happy, healthy and thriving in a complex world. When it comes to professional fulfillment - building businesses and finding charitable endeavors where I can have an impact is very rewarding. I've started for-profit businesses that have had a big impact on the marketing and #advertising industries, and I look for the same opportunities when it comes to #nonprofit endeavors.” 3) What Board(s) are you currently on, and how did you first find out about the opportunity(s)?
“While I have been active on boards and advisory boards ranging from industry organizations (such as the IAB during the rise of #mobile) to innovative companies (like Hightail & Minyanville Media, Inc.), nothing has been more fulfilling than the past few years spent as a board member of Junior Achievement of New York, starting the #Media Advisory Board for Sandy Hook Promise, and most recently my addition to the Board of TD Foundation. These nonprofits are inspiring, help save lives and shape narratives & policies that impact people globally while giving back to the #community. They epitomize passion & purpose.” 4) What advice would you give to someone trying to secure their 1st Board role?
“People usually pursue board roles for two reasons; the first is to focus on board roles that are core to one’s career aspiration. The second are roles that provide personal fulfillment. Either way, the heart of #success in any #boardrole is passion. If you’re passionate about the #mission, #vision and #values of an organization, then you’ll find purpose and success in it.” 5) What’s your favorite quote?
"Never choose consensus over #inspiration."
- Dan Wieden & David Kennedy, co-founders of Wieden + Kennedy 6) Career advice in three words?
“Find ‘inspiration, passion and purpose’. The money will follow.” 7) Anything else you’d like to add?
“Careers are non-linear. They are strange journeys. As Yogi Berra once said, “When you come to a fork in the road… take it!" Please join us in congratulating Kevin Wassong on his many #career accomplishments, and thanking him for the great advice. If you’d like to find a Board role #opportunity there are >125 of them currently posted on ExecThread - see: https://lnkd.in/gGN7k7w #givingback #careerinsights #boardofdirectors #boardopportunities

Ever wonder what it’s (really) like to be a tech startup founder? On the 10-year Anniversary of ExecThread, our founder Joe Meyer wrote a recent post (https://lnkd.in/gdRQEbwf) about the realities of being an entrepreneur. Check it out below. Speaking of ExecThread’s 10-year Anniversary, and to commemorate this big milestone, we’re offering 10 FREE days of ExecThread Full Access Plus Membership (https://lnkd.in/g7YrWdEn) during which you’ll get unlimited & unfettered access to all 7,000+ exec-level career opportunities on ExecThread, including all full-time, interim and Board role opportunities! And all ExecThread members who sign-up for our 10-day free trial will also be automatically entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a FREE year of Full Access Plus membership ($480 value)!