Brief us about your outset story of your career.

I grew up in a small town of 200 people in Minnesota. I put myself through college earning 2 degrees, and then went on to graduate school at Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Started my career at Procter and Gamble working on Oil of Olay. Went on to Johnson & Johnson working on Pepcid, Mylanta, Johnson’s baby, and Neutrogena. Went on to Herbalife, where my team helped create 44 products and put them into 59 countries, helping double the company size in 5 years. Then went to a start-up that grew fast, and then sadly learned the risks of working for the wrong people. Then went on to create our own company, Jump to Health™. 

What are the aims and ideals that guide you as an individual and a professional?

Integrity, honesty, and hard work are ideals that have guided me my entire career, along with knowing the only competition is within oneself to be the best that they can be. I also value thoughtful challenging of belief, and respect for different backgrounds and opinions. It is in our differences that we learn and grow.

Enlighten us about your greatest strength. How are you different from others in your field?

I am very proud of my strengths of strategic thinking, the ability to roll my sleeves up and get the job done, and of keeping an eye on all the things that can impact a business and a brand – consumer needs, communications, costs, competitors, category and channel changes. It’s a dynamic world, and you can never rest on your laurels. It’s today that matters.

Who in your life inspires you the most?

From recent history – Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsberg are two strong women that broke societal constraints and accomplished great things helping people. I wish I could spend time with them each and ask how they persevered when it seemed like everything was against them. I think they were both fierce, smart, determined women and they both changed the world.

Mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your organisation and person.

Jump To Health™ has won several awards, and it is because we are a company that provides the resources to radically change lives. The products, programs, and education we provide help consumers see that we are more than a product company, we are here to empower them to live their best life. We do not teach nutrition in schools, and even our health care providers get an average of 8 hours or less. Obesity is growing, diabetes is a global epidemic, and we are here to help customers with tools, education, free meal plans, and support. And then our products were created by Dr. Steven Witherly, PhD in nutrition, so they work and are natural. We are here to end sugar addiction, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and all health challenges that can be improved with good nutrition.

In addition to winning recognition for having the best weight loss products and programs, trusted supplements, and impact company -we’ve won for our innovative “Walk To Give” program, where members can get active walking and have their steps count toward donations to Feeding America. In addition to our industry awards, we have several patents we’ve received, with more in the works. We constantly strive to improve every day.

Being a woman, what were the toughest obstacles you faced in your career?

When I began my career, I faced the typical sexism from so many that thought my place should be in the home and no where else. In college, in graduate school, in work. It was both subtle and then not subtle, and all it did was make me more determined to follow my passion and to use my talents in ways that helped others. I’ve always believed that we should not judge others based on the body they were born into, or the color of their skin. None of us had a say in where we landed. So be kind to one another, and let’s look to the quality of a heart, integrity  and motivation instead. 

We live in a male-dominated society, what is the one thing every woman must possess?

A sense of humor. You will be judged – for your looks, your dedication to your job/family/career. You will be criticized for being assertive, and criticized for not being assertive enough. A sense of humor, determination, perseverance, and having the support of great friends, and family too. From my friend Myra telling me to “Dream Big, Get Big”, to my husband who has always supported my ambitions and goals, to several of my bosses like Bill who advocated for me, to Janice and Robbi who believed in me more than I did myself, to Caroline who taught me quiet determination can be so powerful, and so many others that pushed me to think bigger, to reach higher, and to challenge myself. Support, humor, determination, perseverance, drive – all women need those if they want to make it in any field.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women heroes?

Do not get discouraged – change takes time. I am so grateful to this generation for leading the way and showing that men and women can indeed be friends, that sports is for everyone, that no career is off limits for anyone. I am grateful for the women that came before me and opened the way for change, and for those in my lifetime who said ‘enough’. And now as we see historic shifts (again) in our society, it is time to speak up and vote with our voices, our pocket books, our lives.