SHOCEO^® Reading for Success: 7 (Seven) Minutes.  YouTube Interview Below: 55 (Fifty-Five) Minutes.

For this edition of the She’s Her Own CEO^® Interview Series, we are excited to introduce you to Susan Spencer!

Susan Spencer was editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day and womansday.com from 2012 to 2020. During her tenure, she revitalized the magazine by connecting deeply with its audience of 15 million and bringing it back to its roots as an inspirational source of information for American women. Under her leadership the magazine became the top selling monthly on U.S. newsstands. In 2019 she also took on oversight of womansday.com

Prior to her tenure at Woman’s Day, Spencer was executive editor of All You magazine, published by Time Inc., and held senior editorial positions at Child and Diversion magazines. She also worked for Time Inc. Strategic Communications, the company’s branded content unit, producing magazines for corporate clients including Pfizer and American Express.

She serves on the marketing committee of Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest nonprofit victim services organization, and on the Women’s Leadership Council of Women Against Alzheimer’s. She graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. degree in French and European History, and currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Hi Susan, thank you for being here today! What were some of your early career experiences that have contributed to your success?

Susan Spencer: I was fortunate to enjoy a 32-year career in media, weathering recessions, contractions, boom times, and one really nasty hurricane (I’ll never forget commuting into the city in an Amtrak baggage car in the days after Sandy hit!). My career would not have lasted this long had it not been for several managers, all women, who truly believed in me and opened many doors, giving me the chance to grow. Thanks to their support and

confidence in me, I reached a level in my industry that I never expected to attain. I am a deep believer in the power of mentoring and have made a point over the years to support young women on their way up the ladder.

Another key component to my success: Starting in the late 90s (so about a million years ago!), as a new mother, I asked my boss at the time if I could work from home one day a week. She agreed, and I continued to do this over the course of three jobs, bridging the time when my children were young. Having a day at home was vital to my productivity—and my sanity—and it honestly helped me better manage both my personal and professional responsibilities and move forward in my career. As a manager, I returned the favor as often as I could. Flexibility is much more common these days in the workplace, but now we need to make sure that it extends fairly to all women with access to paid family leave and affordable childcare.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Mentoring is so important! I bet your direct reports also appreciated you “paying forward” the career-enabling gift of workplace flexibility.

On ShesHerOwnCEO.com, we often talk about how one can best Lead, Provide, and Create™ in her life.  Each of us, in our respective world, has opportunities to Lead Ourselves, to Provide for Others, and Create for the Larger World. Susan, please share with me your favorite example of how you Lead, Provide, and Create™ in your professional and/or personal world!

Susan Spencer: I’m really proud of the fact that I built Woman’s Day into a superstar magazine and hired a team of website makers who are also genuinely good people. In hiring, I tend to focus less on a specific skill set and more on flexibility and curiosity, and what they will bring to our culture. In media, there are a lot of intensely creative people working in close proximity on extremely tight deadlines. Egos can fly! So it’s important to foster respectful collaboration and lead with respect, compassion, and clarity—making sure everyone understands the mission and purpose, while also nudging them to create and innovate. Sometimes that means standing back and letting them be their best.

Personally, I’m most fulfilled when I’m helping, educating, and empowering women. I’ve mentored several young women at Hearst and through New York Women in Communications over the past 10 years, and I get a huge kick out of watching them flourish in their careers. I also do board-level volunteer work for the largest victims’ services provider in the country, supporting women survivors of domestic abuse. And on the third Saturday of every month I knock on doors at a nearby senior home, delivering groceries from our local food pantry to elderly shut-ins, who are mostly women.

Fast forward to today’s quarantine situation…I’m still volunteering monthly with my local food pantry and continue to participate in sorting, packing and food deliveries to a nearby senior facility. We’re no longer knocking on doors, however…just dropping off food. Sign of the times.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Being the CEO of your world can take many forms (for example, volunteering in your community, holding a formal corporate position, engaging in creative pursuits, or being a reliable mom/sister/daughter. 

In your opinion, what is the best way to achieve success and to become the boss of your world?

Susan Spencer: Confidence! It all starts with believing in yourself (note: this goes for women at every career stage, whether just starting out or reinventing in midlife). And continuing to learn and grow by seeking out new experiences, whether on the job or as a volunteer. I just started to learn Spanish, and I’m brushing up on my digital marketing skills through an online class.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®:  Lifelong learning is critical for continued professional development! Any additional advice you can share with motivated, aspirational professionals in the audience, Susan?

Susan Spencer: No matter where you are in your career, get comfortable with saying, “I’m not sure” and asking for help. Find a coach or a mentor or just a good friend who can bring valuable perspective and help you find the right answers.  A good support system can help you assess and clarify where you are and where you want to go, or simply help you get out of your own way. An outside POV on your career is incredibly valuable.

 

Kathryn Brooks, She’s Her Own CEO^®: Susan, thank you for sharing your story of personal and professional success!

Check out my video interview with Susan on “CEO Live! with Kathryn Brooks” from 4/28/20 below.

Learn more about Susan’s work here:

Facebook: @susanatwd

Instagram: @susanspencer28

Looking for even more #CEO inspiration?  Check out my other #CEO interviews and be sure you’re subscribed below!

Kathryn