If there’s anyone who can provide meaningful insight into business and life, it’s Jodi Bednar.
Bednar, the Senior Partner and Chicago Office Lead at West Monroe, told a group of young professionals on June 18 about the lessons she’s learned from her 30-plus years in telecommunications and utilities. The inspiring session was part of the Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Fireside Chat Series, and it offered attendees a unique opportunity to gain valuable thoughts from one of Chicago’s top executives.
The event began with Chamber President and CEO Jack Lavin noting that Jodi volunteers with several groups including the National MS Society, and also enjoys gardening, yoga, and adventure travel. She has been to 48 out of the 50 U.S. states, five out of the seven continents, and is now focused on hitting every National Park in the U.S.
Bednar is also involved with organizations with the Women’s Energy Network of Chicago and, as a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, has been pivotal in helping further the group’s Pride efforts.
After his laudatory introduction, Lavin handed the mic to Matthew Serafin, Senior Associate at JPMorgan Chase’s Emerging Middle Market Commercial Bank, who began an engaging conversation with Bednar about her career and life path.
A reflective Bednar noted that she grew up in central Illinois and felt she found her purpose the moment she started typing on her first computer, the Apple Macintosh Classic 2. “I knew this was something I wanted to work with — I couldn’t believe all it could do,” she said.
Bednar said one of the key lessons she learned from her career is the importance of being true to who you are — in previous positions, she noted that she had to pretend that she had a male partner so she could feel accepted. She said she is more successful in her career, and much more comfortable in her own skin, since being able to be herself in the workplace.
“Think about how much energy it takes to be someone you’re not,” Bednar said. “It really does deflect from being able to bring your entire self — your best self — to work every day. When I was able to put that fear and anxiety and worry of not being myself to the side, it allowed me to speak up more, to be more open, and really bring my authentic and whole self to work, which in turn opened a lot more doors.”
The discussion ended with Bednar stressing the importance of taking care of yourself and knowing how to navigate work-life balance, noting that we are all people with life experiences and identities that make us who we are, and that also need to be nurtured.
We thank Jodi for a candid and authentic conversation and for being a true champion of the Chamber and business community.
