You can listen to Monica’s story in full on podcast here or search ‘Women on Boards Success Stories’ on all major apps:

Monica’s career began in the marketing department at Mercedes-Benz while she pursued a marketing degree at university. Advancing her career by working for various advertising agencies, a pivotal shift occurred when she moved to the property sector after becoming a single mother, requiring more flexibility during the 2008 Great Recession.

Breaking Barriers in the Boardroom

Monica’s determination to reach a higher-level position led her to be headhunted for a position in the energy sector, working for Vattenfall Group, where she served on their UK retailer’s executive board. While leading energy companies, Monica often found herself as the only woman in the boardroom.

She says, ‘I’ve worked in organisations and industries that are traditionally more male-dominated, and I was, very early in my career perhaps, more inclined to adopt male characteristics to try and fit in. As I’ve gotten older, maybe I’m just slightly less tolerant of some of those biased behaviours and a bit more comfortable in my own skin, allowing me to be authentically me. I think the acceleration I’ve seen in the latter part of my career, my progress into those executives and now into non-executive roles, is because I clearly understand my true value and worth.’

Strategies for Success

Applying for board positions requires aligning with an organisation’s values and culture, investing in personal growth, and seeking new opportunities. Monica kept an active presence on LinkedIn to stay informed and connected with board members in her areas of interest, gaining valuable insights and advice.

She booked a 1-on-1 CV review with WB Directors to reframe her executive career experience in a relevant way so she could target specific boardroom opportunities. Monica found this incredibly valuable, saying, ‘The whole experience of the WB Directors CV Review was probably the most valuable conversation I had, of all of the preparation work that I did. It made me think about my experience differently and reframe it to be relevant to the type of organisations I wanted to work with. I highly recommend it to anyone considering pivoting to a NED career.’

Embracing self-belief

Monica highlights the importance of recognising the strength and worth you bring and the unique insights you can offer, making you a valuable asset to any board. Representing excluded or marginal voices in the boardroom is a rewarding experience that fosters positive organisational change.

Self-care is an important part of Monica’s board roles, advocating for reflection and realignment of personal goals to become a resilient and influential voice in addressing challenges effectively within the boardroom context.

Listen to our podcast interview with Monica in full for more tips and advice on building a portfolio career. Listen here or search ‘Women on Boards Success Stories’ on all major apps.

For insights into Monica’s behind-the-scenes of life in the boardroom, check out her Instagram, which provides leadership insights, transition journey learnings, and in-depth information and resources for those aspiring to enter a NED role.