Her Story
About Genevieve
I spent 13 years in television in New York City, working my way up the corporate ladder because I wanted to be that independent woman like Mary Tyler Moore's character. I was making money, chasing status, and thought that was success. Then one afternoon, a voice in me asked if this is the next 30 years of your life, is this enough? That question unraveled everything. I started volunteering at emergency shelters for children, and one night a little girl asked me 'what are pajamas?' That moment started my brain unraveling, and I jumped off the ladder, went into financial debt, and started a nonprofit. It grew to 42 chapters and 9 million pajamas and books distributed. We focus on helping traumatized children get some sleep. After 20 years of running it, I passed the baton of Executive Director and gave back my salary. For the last 5 years, I've been speaking on leading with love and writing books, teaching the difference between being a boss and being a leader. I speak and do workshops for leaders, teaching that you have to love who you're working for, love who you're working with, and love what you're doing.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Genevieve
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think I've always chosen adventure over security from a young age, and I've seen that come out in the chances I've taken when there was absolutely no reason for me to have taken the chance. But there was something in it that pulls me. Something pulled me to listen to that question that came up in me, that weird question from your body, from your heart. I had to do it, and I think a lot of entrepreneurs have that. I pride myself on taking a chance rather than sticking with security. You got one life, and as long as you have somebody's couch you can sleep on, you have to just trust. I passed the baton after 20 years and gave back my salary as Executive Director, and then COVID hit, and I said why did I do that! But I keep doing it. You have to just trust.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In life and in leadership, it's leading with love. It's listen to your heart voice, always. Always. It's love who you're working for, love who you're working with, love what you're doing. That word for so long had no place in business, but now I'm not the only one putting it in there. People are jumping ship left and right because they're missing the good feelings. We need leaders who put people first right now.
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