Finding Your EPIC
Finding Your EPIC is a podcast dedicated to helping women unlock their potential and achieve a rewarding and impactful career. I invite you to learn from women at the top of their game as they share the career-defining light-bulb moments that helped them to find their epic.
With me, Jacqueline Frost, founder of Elevate Talent, each episode will invite you into the world of inspiring female leadership. We’ll explore the tips and strategies that helped senior-level women get to where they are today, learn from their unique wisdom and experience, and, over the weeks, build a collection of actionable advice you can benefit from – no matter where you are in your career.
So, are you ready to find your EPIC?
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Finding Your EPIC
S2-Ep2 EPIC Boundaries with Karen Jones
In this podcast episode, Jacqueline Frost interviews Karen Jones, Director of Europe Marketing Immunodiagnostics at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Beyond her demanding role marketing allergy and autoimmune diagnostics across Europe, Karen also runs a 12-week women's coaching program at Thermo Fisher.
Karen shares that despite her impressive academic background—including a PhD and postdoctoral research at Harvard—she felt blocked a few years ago. She discusses her transitions from academia to biotech and then into commercial roles, each accompanied by self-doubt and an inner voice telling her she wasn't good enough.
After being made redundant when her second baby was just eight weeks old, Karen spotted a market gap and started her own company. She provided biotech start-ups with expertise combining scientific acumen and marketing skills. Eventually, she returned to corporate life but struggled with the shift from being her own boss to navigating a large organization. Thrown into a massive project with little support, she overworked and privately suffered from stress and burnout.
Realizing this was unsustainable, Karen sought coaching to address her limiting beliefs, set boundaries, and prioritize her well-being. After implementing these changes, she was promoted to leadership roles where she now empowers her team, emphasizes well-being, and supports other women in their careers. She is inspired by leaders who support and empower her and believes in fostering vulnerability in the workplace.
Karen concludes by sharing a quote from Brené Brown:
"Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It's the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path."