Home: Rockville Centre, NY. Age: 70’s child. Birthplace: Upstate New York. Profession: Executive search. Organization: Janou Pakter, a division of JBC Holdings. Title: Principal, Retail and Consumer. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Alma mater: Fordham University (M.S.W.); Stonehill College (B.A.).
Current project: Ongoing student of my business. Latest accomplishment: Together with my business partner Nicole Marshall, developed a search practice at Janou Pakter with a specific expertise in all things marketing. Professional focus: Introducing best-in-class talent to our clients and network; seamless execution and results; consistently building relationships and providing a positive, productive experience for all. Recent professional development: Writing class, as well as continuously surrounding myself and my team with mentors to learn from, to help improve our craft. Latest contribution to others: Nonprofit board member for local Nassau County Breast Cancer Coalition, fostering support and community service to thirty local towns and approximately eighty individuals currently undergoing treatment. Also serve as a mentor at empowerHER, a program for teens who have lost a mother during adolescence. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Leaving the corporate world to pursue a career that my gut told me I really wanted.
Hobbies: Running, Pilates, tennis, gardening; playing with my two labradoodles; stalking LinkedIn. Recent travel or adventure: Lake Como and signing up for a three night retreat led by an author I’ve followed for twenty years. Last book read: Bookends, by Zibby Owens. Recent unique acquisition: Building a team that we can learn from.
Personality profile: Detail oriented with a solid sense of humor to keep everything relative. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? True. Moral compass: Your inside voice is right. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Checks and balances; mutual acceptance and respect for the other’s point of view; shared zest for life and career. What quality do you most value in others? Honesty. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my daughters go after what they want. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Vacationing with my family. What is at the top of your bucket list? Writing a memoir. How do you relieve stress? Meditating and running outdoors.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Rubik’s Cube. I like it when things fit together 😊. What book have you repeatedly read? You are a Badass, by Jen Sincero. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Follow your passion. What is your favorite app? Instagram, to research brands and platforms. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Pinterest.
What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Losing my mom when I was 15. From which I learned to stand on my own two feet, to pursue what I wanted independently and to embrace the reality that every day is a gift.
What is your big idea?
Mentoring young people as they approach their careers. Colleges and high schools need to build more career education classes into their curriculum in order to set up the next generation for success!
What change would you like to see in the world? Greater openness and acceptance for bringing stay-at-home moms and dads back into the workforce. What message do you want to send out into the world? You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Career Trajectory. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? The cards from my daughters reminding me that I lead by example every day. What three items would you choose in the Desert Island game? My laptop, my coffee maker, and my Hoka running shoes. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t stress, it will all work out. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My early thirties. I would have started my search career earlier, as it’s a natural fit and I enjoy every minute of it.
Personal motto: Where there’s a will there’s a way! Favorite quote: “I dwell in Possibility” (Emily Dickinson).
