When you began your career did you ever imagine you would have a leadership role like you have now?
When I began my career, I didn’t step into leadership right away. My early corporate years were about learning, observing, and finding my footing. Even then, I was paying close attention to how people led and how teams worked. Starting my first business at age 30 was a turning point.
It forced me to grow quickly and step fully into leadership.
What advice would you give your younger self?
If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell her this: you don’t need to have it all mapped out to move forward. Pay attention to what energizes you, trust your judgment, and don’t wait until you feel perfectly ready, because that moment rarely comes.
Who inspires you and why?
Several people have inspired me over the years, particularly leaders who are self-aware and genuinely invested in the people around them. The leaders I respect most bring others with them. They listen, observe, and create clarity without needing to control the room.
What is your most valued attribute in the leaders you respect or mentors you have had?
The attribute I value most is self-awareness paired with integrity. Leaders who understand their impact on others, stay grounded in their values, and act with consistency earn trust naturally.
They influence without needing authority, create clarity in complex situations, and bring people with them rather than pushing from behind.
What did it take in order to trust yourself to step into leadership?
Trusting myself came through experience, reflection, and learning to sit with uncertainty. I didn’t wait until I felt fully ready. I learned by doing, paying attention to what worked, and adjusting when things didn’t. Over time, those experiences built confidence and reinforced that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about being present, curious, and willing to move forward thoughtfully.
Have you experienced any hardships and how did you overcome the obstacles?
Yes, I’ve experienced challenges across different stages of my career, particularly in environments that demanded resilience, patience, and emotional steadiness. Some roles pushed me to grow quickly, while others clarified the kind of leadership culture I wanted to create and sustain.
I overcame those obstacles by staying reflective, trusting my judgment, and choosing to move forward when something no longer aligned.
When did you know the business was going to make it?
I knew the business was going to make it when the work continued to gain momentum over time, creating clarity and decisions that actually stuck.
What do you attribute your success to? Secret to your success...
I attribute my success to perseverance, curiosity, and relationships. I bring energy and intention to my work, stay deeply invested in people and outcomes, and continue learning along the way.
I take time to reflect, adjust, and then move forward with clarity.
If there’s a secret, it’s staying grounded while continuing to grow. Passion fuels the work, but reflection gives it direction.
What advice would you give other local women leaders?
Don’t shrink yourself to fit someone else’s definition of leadership. Trust your instincts, build strong relationships, and be confident in your ability to bring people with you.
Join the GRIT Community:
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8987243/
Jennifer Bardot (left) (ownyourgrit@gmail.com, or 314-630-1451) is CEO and Founder of G.R.I.T. Community For Women.
Marianne Biangardi (right)(mbiangardi@uhy-us.com or 314-322-4871) is Sr. Associate, Marketing and Business Development, at UHY LLP.