Part 2: IWE Interview: One-on-one with Stacie Nevadomski Berdan
The Interview with IWE continues…
Q. What are you working on now?
A. I am actually getting back into a full-time role again, doing some new research and launching a few new social tools using digital technology. A little more than a year ago, my mother passed away. I had been helping her for the previous year (I feel immensely blessed that I had the time with her) and although I managed to be a daughter, mother, wife and business owner—the stress took its toll on me. Losing my Mom was very hard, and I decided that I needed some time. I reduced my speaking engagements and focused on just a few favorite clients. I’ll be getting back into full swing at the start of this summer.
Q. What excites and inspires you most?
A. I am passionate about communicating to as many people at all ages and walks of life the need to develop a global mindset. If more people around the world respected each other’s differences, acknowledged that we are more alike than different as human beings, the world would be a more peaceful place. I have found that especially in the U.S., people do not appreciate the value of learning another language, the life-changing experience of studying abroad, the beauty of learning about other people and cultures. But often times, after they’ve heard my rationale, they can see the value, and I know I’ve changed another mind. This inspires me to continue doing my work.
Q. Do you mentor or sponsor anyone?
A. People with international experience are not common so wherever I speak, I offer attendees or students to connect with me and engage with me on global topics. For many business school programs, I serve as a mentor, almost always to young women, who are considering pursuing an international career. I find that it is best for me to spread myself as far and wide as possible to help as many people as possible. But I have a soft spot for women looking to go global.
Q. How important do you think it is to have a mentor and/or sponsor?
A. I think mentors are very important, but they must be authentic to be as beneficial as possible. And so within networks, organizations, workplaces mentoring is critical, especially for women. I believe that women helping women is supremely important if we are to keep advancing our causes. And so while I would not call it mentoring, any type of help or advice—even choosing physicians and business partners who are women—that I can take makes an impact.
Q. Finally, what ‘floats your boat’? What do you like to do in your spare time?
A. I am a foodie and so eating and cooking (mostly!) healthy dishes from around the world for family and friends is a joy. I love to exercise and practice yoga, lift weights, and hike high and low, short and long trails. I enjoy gardening, specifically flowers, and love getting my hands in the dirt. I am a voracious reader and am always looking for great reads, and for people to discuss books with. I love to travel and am especially happy when I’m able to combine one or all of the above on the road with my husband, Mike, my twin daughters, and/or friends I’ve made around the world. The world is an immensely interesting place, and I feel fortunate to have explored a lot of it—but not nearly enough of it.