Unscripted with @jrichlive ft. Margo Georgiadis (Former CEO, Ancestry.com)

TL;DR

Margot Gerritsen, a deeply mission-driven Silicon Valley leader, discusses her background and journey in technology and data, as well as her excitement in joining the boards of Handshake and Workboard.

Transcript

margo good morning good morning how are you i'm great thank you how does it how feel to have your name in the in the social media lights first for me over the last week with all the announcements the board announcements i'm i'm just thrilled it's been uh i guess we've kind of kept it under wraps for a few months but it's uh awesome to have you join... Read More

Key Insights

• 🏂 Margot Gerritsen's joining the boards of Handshake and Workboard illustrates her passion for helping companies with transformative potential.
• ✊ She believes in the power of platforms and ecosystems, aiming to democratize access and improve experiences for employees, investors, and customers.
• 🎟️ Margot emphasizes the importance of being mission-driven, deeply understanding customers' needs, and aligning with a founder CEO's vision.
• 😷 Boards can provide valuable counsel, ask critical questions, and offer insights for decision-making while establishing a personal connection with the CEO.
• 🥺 Margot emphasizes the importance of focusing on leading indicators, having a clear strategy and metrics, and continually pivoting to stay ahead of the curve.
• 😫 Building personal relationships, setting a standard dashboard, and having focused discussions can make board meetings more productive and engaging.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Margot Gerritsen feel about joining the boards of Handshake and Workboard?

Margot is thrilled about the opportunity and considers it a pleasure to work with both teams. She believes in the potential of both companies and is excited to contribute.

Q: What is Margot Gerritsen's background and journey in the industry?

Margot has a background in agriculture economics and has focused on building ecosystems throughout her career. She has worked as a partner at McKinsey, at Google for eight years, and served as the CEO of Mattel and Ancestry.

Q: When did Margot Gerritsen realize that she had valuable insights and experiences to share with others?

Margot had a pivotal experience early in her career when she had the opportunity to interview CEOs from various companies worldwide. This made her realize the importance of having counselors and mentors as a CEO and inspired her to give back to the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Q: How does Margot Gerritsen approach time management and balancing various responsibilities?

Margot believes in focusing on the most important things that can accelerate progress for a company. She also emphasizes the importance of bringing new ideas and perspectives, constantly learning and seeking inspiration from outside sources.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Margot Gerritsen is thrilled to join the boards of Handshake and Workboard after keeping it under wraps for a few months.

• She is a deeply mission-driven leader focused on democratizing access and delivering growth and returns for employees, investors, and customers.

• Margot has a diverse background, including being a partner at McKinsey, working at Google for eight years, and serving as CEO at Mattel and Ancestry.