At 32, Katherine Wintsch hit a maternal wall, a barrier more pronounced and intractable than any glass ceiling. The high-powered marketing executive and mother of two small children was simply too exhausted—mentally and physically—to carry on.
“I just could not continue the life that I had anymore and I could not continue the expectations that I had for myself anymore,” she says. “I looked around me and I saw all the trappings of success that would cause anybody from the outside world to think that I was very happy, and I wasn’t happy.”
She spent two years working through that dilemma with a signature mix of Oprah-inspired introspection, therapy and life coaching, and emerged the CEO of a mom-focused marketing firm with global impact.
Today she makes it her business to turn the challenges of motherhood, which she knows intimately, into growth opportunities for brands, including Walmart, Kellogg, Colgate and Johnson & Johnson. She travels the world researching moms in all walks of life and then works with companies to develop products that better serve them. Talk about work-life alignment.
- Name: Katherine Wintsch
- Age: 37
- Work: Founder and CEO of The Mom Complex
- Family: Husband Richard; Children Layla (6) and Alex (4)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing from James Madison University; Master’s degree in communication from the Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter Continue reading “How Katherine Wintsch (CEO of The Mom Complex) Makes Things Happen”
At 32, Katherine Wintsch hit a maternal wall, a barrier more pronounced and intractable than any glass ceiling. The high-powered marketing executive and mother of two small children was simply too exhausted—mentally and physically—to carry on.
“I just could not continue the life that I had anymore and I could not continue the expectations that I had for myself anymore,” she says. “I looked around me and I saw all the trappings of success that would cause anybody from the outside world to think that I was very happy, and I wasn’t happy.”
She spent two years working through that dilemma with a signature mix of Oprah-inspired introspection, therapy and life coaching, and emerged the CEO of a mom-focused marketing firm with global impact.
Today she makes it her business to turn the challenges of motherhood, which she knows intimately, into growth opportunities for brands, including Walmart, Kellogg, Colgate and Johnson & Johnson. She travels the world researching moms in all walks of life and then works with companies to develop products that better serve them. Talk about work-life alignment.
- Name: Katherine Wintsch
- Age: 37
- Work: Founder and CEO of The Mom Complex
- Family: Husband Richard; Children Layla (6) and Alex (4)
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing from James Madison University; Master’s degree in communication from the Virginia Commonwealth University Brandcenter Continue reading “How Katherine Wintsch (CEO of The Mom Complex) Makes Things Happen”
An article titled “The Legend of Wendy Davis” will appear in the New York Times Sunday Magazine this weekend. Unfortunately, the web version of Robert Draper’s story, which is live now, is called “Can Wendy Davis Have It All?” The silly online headline weakens the power of an otherwise compelling profile of a politician on the rise.
No, Wendy Davis can’t have it all. No woman (or man for that matter) can. And such questions are only directed at women–a point that the article illustrates well. If a Wendell, rather than a Wendy, were running for governor of Texas no reporters or opponents would be asking where his children were while he attended Harvard Law School or just how much of his success he could take credit for given that his spouse helped pay college and law school bills. Continue reading “Supermom for Governor: Why Wendy Davis Puts Her Personal Narrative First in Texas Campaign”
An article titled “The Legend of Wendy Davis” will appear in the New York Times Sunday Magazine this weekend. Unfortunately, the web version of Robert Draper’s story, which is live now, is called “Can Wendy Davis Have It All?” The silly online headline weakens the power of an otherwise compelling profile of a politician on the rise.
No, Wendy Davis can’t have it all. No woman (or man for that matter) can. And such questions are only directed at women–a point that the article illustrates well. If a Wendell, rather than a Wendy, were running for governor of Texas no reporters or opponents would be asking where his children were while he attended Harvard Law School or just how much of his success he could take credit for given that his spouse helped pay college and law school bills. Continue reading “Supermom for Governor: Why Wendy Davis Puts Her Personal Narrative First in Texas Campaign”
Years ago, I volunteered with an understaffed nonprofit that struggled to recruit hands-on board members willing to pitch in beyond scheduled meetings. I vividly recall a colleague relaying the tale of how a longtime donor shot her down when she invited him to join the board. He declined, saying: “I give my time or my money to organizations, but not both.”
His strange pronouncement just killed the conversation. Put in a tough spot, she couldn’t jeopardize his financial contribution by continuing to ask for his time. He’d given her an ultimatum, it seemed. Continue reading “Time or Money: What Do You Give and Why?”
Years ago, I volunteered with an understaffed nonprofit that struggled to recruit hands-on board members willing to pitch in beyond scheduled meetings. I vividly recall a colleague relaying the tale of how a longtime donor shot her down when she invited him to join the board. He declined, saying: “I give my time or my money to organizations, but not both.”
His strange pronouncement just killed the conversation. Put in a tough spot, she couldn’t jeopardize his financial contribution by continuing to ask for his time. He’d given her an ultimatum, it seemed. Continue reading “Time or Money: What Do You Give and Why?”
I was honored to join a group of Richmonders that Marc Cheatham of The Cheats Movement assembled to discuss black history and leadership. He asked some thought-provoking questions that I hope will spark a broader community dialogue and fuel greater collaboration and progress. Check out the teaser below to see some of our non-answers.
Enjoy! Continue reading “Finding Tomorrow: Experiences in Black Leadership Trailer”
I was honored to join a group of Richmonders that Marc Cheatham of The Cheats Movement assembled to discuss black history and leadership. He asked some thought-provoking questions that I hope will spark a broader community dialogue and fuel greater collaboration and progress. Check out the teaser below to see some of our non-answers.
Enjoy! Continue reading “Finding Tomorrow: Experiences in Black Leadership Trailer”
Here are a few interesting dispatches you may have missed amid this week’s coverage of the Winter Olympics, violence in the Ukraine and White House budget proposals.
When Leaning in Isn’t Enough: What I’ve Learned At Work As a Woman of Color (Salon)
Joshunda Sanders makes a compelling case for pragmatic and class-inclusive advice books for women. I love her description of her fantasy how-to book, which would cover managing a household budget, juggling family and work obligations, continuing education and training to advance. Continue reading “Great Reads: Engaging Writing About Women This Week 02.21.14”
Here are a few interesting dispatches you may have missed amid this week’s coverage of the Winter Olympics, violence in the Ukraine and White House budget proposals.
When Leaning in Isn’t Enough: What I’ve Learned At Work As a Woman of Color (Salon)
Joshunda Sanders makes a compelling case for pragmatic and class-inclusive advice books for women. I love her description of her fantasy how-to book, which would cover managing a household budget, juggling family and work obligations, continuing education and training to advance. Continue reading “Great Reads: Engaging Writing About Women This Week 02.21.14”
Make Yourself at Home
Find the comfiest spot in your house and declare it your get-better zone. Peace, quiet and natural light are musts. A live, verdant plant helps, too. Goes with the healthy, thriving theme.
Deck your well room out in the softest, most luxurious blankets and pillows you’ve got. You’re sick, not on punishment, so spare no comforts. Continue reading “6 Ways To Turn a Sick Day Into a Better-Already Day”
Make Yourself at Home
Find the comfiest spot in your house and declare it your get-better zone. Peace, quiet and natural light are musts. A live, verdant plant helps, too. Goes with the healthy, thriving theme.
Deck your well room out in the softest, most luxurious blankets and pillows you’ve got. You’re sick, not on punishment, so spare no comforts. Continue reading “6 Ways To Turn a Sick Day Into a Better-Already Day”
A woman after my own heart, artist Sonya Clark is preoccupied with the texture, styling and politics of black hair. Her exploration of the theme through various works has captivated visitors to more than 250 museums and galleries in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, and the U.S.
Currently, Richmond is lucky to have concurrent exhibitions of her work on display: “Same Difference” at Reynolds Gallery and The Hair Craft Project at 1708 Gallery. “Same Difference” features signature works Clark made of thread, her own hair and combs, which conjure a charged history of hair culture, race politics and contested notions of beauty. “The Hair Craft Project” features the creations of a dozen hair stylists working alternately on two backdrops—Sonya’s head and stitched canvases—to dramatic effect. Continue reading “The Hair Craft Project”
A woman after my own heart, artist Sonya Clark is preoccupied with the texture, styling and politics of black hair. Her exploration of the theme through various works has captivated visitors to more than 250 museums and galleries in Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, and the U.S.
Currently, Richmond is lucky to have concurrent exhibitions of her work on display: “Same Difference” at Reynolds Gallery and The Hair Craft Project at 1708 Gallery. “Same Difference” features signature works Clark made of thread, her own hair and combs, which conjure a charged history of hair culture, race politics and contested notions of beauty. “The Hair Craft Project” features the creations of a dozen hair stylists working alternately on two backdrops—Sonya’s head and stitched canvases—to dramatic effect. Continue reading “The Hair Craft Project”
Here’s the complete Men of March documentary featuring Shaka — and Zora.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R22GSnwaydM
Enjoy!
The scene plays itself out several times a game. There comes a moment when an official’s whistle blows (or doesn’t blow) and the crowd erupts in indignation. Sometimes a flagrant (we think), uncalled foul sets us off. Other times the provocation is more contested—a missed 5-second violation, a blown out-of-bounds call, inconsistent foul reads. Whatever the perceived injustice, boos rumble through the crowd like thunder.
That’s my moment. I wait for the quiet after the outrage, then scream, “Win anyway, Rams!” Continue reading “Win Anyway”
The scene plays itself out several times a game. There comes a moment when an official’s whistle blows (or doesn’t blow) and the crowd erupts in indignation. Sometimes a flagrant (we think), uncalled foul sets us off. Other times the provocation is more contested—a missed 5-second violation, a blown out-of-bounds call, inconsistent foul reads. Whatever the perceived injustice, boos rumble through the crowd like thunder.
That’s my moment. I wait for the quiet after the outrage, then scream, “Win anyway, Rams!” Continue reading “Win Anyway”
Sarah Rinaldi whisked into my life when she marched a crew of men into my kitchen to film a documentary on my husband. Within minutes, I knew she would make an excellent interview subject. She was a skilled, heart-led producer and an engaging conversationalist. While there to interview Shaka and me, she gamely allowed me to quiz her on the spot and follow up with a phone interview.
Her career path from lowly production assistant on “The Winner Next Door” to Emmy Award-winning producer is inspiring—and instructive. She exemplifies success earned through a signature mix of audacity and industry. Read on to discover how a “just say yes” mantra has fueled her achievement, and what she wishes older women had told her about the pursuit of excellence.
- Name: Sarah Rinaldi
- Age: 37
- Work: Television Producer/Director
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish from Amherst College
Continue reading “How Sarah Rinaldi (TV Director/Producer) Makes Things Happen”
Sarah Rinaldi whisked into my life when she marched a crew of men into my kitchen to film a documentary on my husband. Within minutes, I knew she would make an excellent interview subject. She was a skilled, heart-led producer and an engaging conversationalist. While there to interview Shaka and me, she gamely allowed me to quiz her on the spot and follow up with a phone interview.
Her career path from lowly production assistant on “The Winner Next Door” to Emmy Award-winning producer is inspiring—and instructive. She exemplifies success earned through a signature mix of audacity and industry. Read on to discover how a “just say yes” mantra has fueled her achievement, and what she wishes older women had told her about the pursuit of excellence.
- Name: Sarah Rinaldi
- Age: 37
- Work: Television Producer/Director
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish from Amherst College
