Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Majewski.
Carrie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In the fall of 2015, I moved to Rhode Island to pursue a new career opportunity. I had just accepted my dream job, Director of Marketing for an IT services firm that “got it.” Though the organization was incredibly successful on paper—more than 250 employees, $150 million in revenue, an Inc. and CRN fastest growing company—the company was equally successful at establishing a winning culture centered upon innovative, inclusive leadership principles.
For the first time in my career, I felt challenged—not just to become better at the art of marketing, but to become a better leader. In this role, I was surrounded by extraordinary individuals who thought differently. They welcomed exploratory dialogue; they believed in sharing, not just setting, vision; they were convicted to arrive at the best possible outcome, celebrating the healthy spirit of ideation. A spark ignited in me. Suddenly, I didn’t want to just be a compelling marketer and effective leader. I wanted to reach a heightened level of leadership.
So, I set out on my journey to become a stronger leader. First, I sought out local women who held various leadership roles—from CEOs to solopreneurs to Directors—to ask them about their own journeys. We would meet for coffee, trade tales and uncover commonality, no matter our line of work or years of experience. We quickly realized that our challenges and opportunities were all the same shape and size, just with slightly different textures. Specifically, we would talk about how:
• We desire to grab more. We dream of becoming our own business owners, proposing jobs that don’t yet exist, changing careers in the second act, learning something new. But sometimes we are unsure of where to start.
• At times, we feel we don’t exude true leadership presence even though we know deep down we are masterful leaders.
• We believe the workplace of tomorrow needs to look fundamentally different, made up of a dynamic type of leader who promotes a different set of ideals
In addition to meeting with powerhouse women, I also invested personally in my journey—reading a number of books, listening to podcasts and attending workshops.
In the fall of 2016, I brought together more than 20 women, many of whom had been featured in the blog series. Sitting there that morning—the room abuzz with energy, inspiration and activation—I knew that something special was happening. These women were alive. They were sharing. They were dreaming. Without realizing it, they were forming into a coalition of change champions ready to spring to action.
In that moment, I felt a magnetic pull to do more than just blog about leadership. I decided I needed to formally connect women who were unequivocally committed to co-creating a new leadership paradigm. Eight weeks later, I founded the Women in Leadership Nexus.
Today, the Nexus exists to empower women to reach an amplified level of leadership, to become what we like to call the next-gen leader. The women who dare to play it big, set extraordinary vision and rethink the imaginable. Through our Rhode Island chapter, ongoing trainings and workshops, and robust online community, we help women become the X-factor leader.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
To be an entrepreneur is to welcome the unexpected. My journey in starting Nexus has been incredibly exhilarating, rewarding, educational, terrifying, challenging and empowering.
I feel very grateful and humbled that the Rhode Island community has really connected to the Nexus movement towards next-gen leadership. Since opening the RI chapter this past March, we have seen purpose-driven, spirited, change-oriented women come forward to raise their hand and say, “I want to be part of co-creating a new leadership paradigm.” In just six short months, we have been able to cultivate an extraordinary member base made of change agents who will forever impact the business landscape.
In growing a business, I am trying to get better at recognizing that I will never be able to predict every turn Nexus will take. There will be times that we don’t hit a membership recruitment goal for the month; times where a workshop idea falls flat. But these learning moments are gifts. They will remind me that a business is a living, breathing entity that loves to grow and change. They will remind me that our most meaningful work is always still ahead.
As entrepreneurs, we have both the responsibility and privilege to be in a constant state of evolution. We need to get really comfortable with the uncomfortable and celebrate the art of the pivot. It’s definitely not always easy, but if you believe in your work, nothing can truly take you off course.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Women in Leadership Nexus – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Think of the first time you met an extraordinary leader. How did this person make you feel? Why was this person so different than other “leaders” you have met? What feelings did this person activate in you?
I have long believed that when you come across that X-factor leader, it is a game-changer. This individual can be the one who makes you forever change your own beliefs about your potential. They are energizing, magnetic, differentiated and awe-inspiring. Their leadership presence carries such a powerful current that we are willed to it. They can be compelling enough to rock our very belief systems. Simply put, it’s electric.
When I started the Women in Leadership Nexus, I wanted women to recognize that they can become this type of leader. We help our members begin or accelerate their leadership journey, arming them with the skill sets, perspectives, experiences, relationships and knowledge needed to break through barriers. We inspire our members to recognize that title and hierarchy do not define a leader. We invite our members to explore the tenets of transformative leadership, principles centered around remarkable vision, empowerment, spirited collaboration and sponsorship. And, perhaps most importantly, we remind our members that they can choose to lead.
I think what makes us different is the women that we attract. Spanning all industries, professions and experience levels, our women choose Nexus because they know there is more to their leadership journey. Whether they are the CEO already running a mega-successful empire, or someone fresh to the industry, our members firmly believe that one’s leadership journey is ignited and then reignited over again. These are the women who believe their work is never done and that they way in which they can impact others is limitless. Perhaps more importantly, they want to go on this journey with others. They believe in community building and in knowledge-sharing. They understand that their amazing talents and ecosystem of support are strategic tools to be used on their leadership journey.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
It’s long been said that women will change the world and I agree wholeheartedly. We have such a special, unique set of qualities that allow us to be compelling leaders who bring so many characteristics to personal and professional pursuits like: courage, tenacity, compassion, dynamism, confidence, humility, communication… the list goes on.
My hope is that every year that goes by that we spend less time talking about things like gender bias, the double bind, pay parity, etc., because these things simple don’t exist. A lofty dream, I know, so let’s continue to roll up our sleeves and build to something better tomorrow.
Pricing:
- Professional Nexus Membership : For individuals, $250 for yearly dues
- Corporate Standard Membership: For companies wishing to nominate up to five women, $1,000 for yearly dues
Contact Info:
- Address: 100 Midway Road, Suite 5
Cranston, RI 02920 - Website: www.wilnexus.com
- Phone: 4004005237
- Email: info@wilnexus.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewilnexus
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewilnexus
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-leadership-nexus
2017 © Cat Laine.
2017 © Cat Laine.
2017 © Cat Laine.
2017 © Cat Laine.
2017 © Cat Laine.
2017 © Cat Laine.
Image Credit:
2017 Š Cat Laine
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
