#139 Reinvention After Four Decades: Rene Madden's Journey from Secretary to CEO

When Rene Madden turned 60, everyone expected her to retire. Instead, she launched her own business, pursued a master's degree, and wrote a book. "I am not retiring," she declares. "I could work till I'm 70 or 80. I am just beginning."

Renee's remarkable journey spans four decades in financial services, from her humble beginnings as a secretary who described herself as "the office butterfly" to leading transformation teams at industry giants like JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Schroeders. Along the way, she discovered her talent for management, team building, and process optimization – skills that now form the foundation of her consulting business, Elevare Dynamics.

What makes Rene's story particularly compelling is her candor about the challenges she faced. Despite her impressive credentials, she admits to struggling with confidence issues throughout her career. "I'd be in a meeting thinking I don't belong in this room," she shares, acknowledging the imposter syndrome that plagues so many women in corporate settings. Her advice? "Don't be afraid to use your voice. Don't let anyone take your power away."

The conversation takes fascinating turns through discussions on AI implementation (she warns against "automating a bad process"), the dangerous trend of eliminating middle management positions, and the importance of developing the ability to pause, reflect, and respond rather than being emotionally hijacked by workplace challenges.

Whether you're early in your career journey, contemplating a major professional pivot, or simply inspired by stories of reinvention, Rene's perspective offers valuable wisdom: "If you have passion for something, don't be afraid, do it." Her example proves that with courage and clarity, our most fulfilling work can begin at any age.

Resources:
Rene’s Profile linkedin.com/in/renemadden
Rene's book: Crush It!

Websites
https://www.elevaredynamics.com (Business)
upliftcareercoaching.com (Personal)

Hi Mary here, through my conversations with women leaders, I’ve learned just how urgent the need is for AI strategies that actually make sense. It’s not about adopting tools just to keep up; it’s about building a smart foundation. That’s exactly what Beyondsoft is doing. To learn more visit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-yCsEeZbsl6ivoZoS9YW1quYxbQr1Teo

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to To Be Bolder Podcast
• 1:43 Meet Renee Madden: Financial Services Powerhouse
• 4:35 From Secretary to Leader: Career Evolution
• 9:16 Launching Elevare Dynamics After Corporate Life
• 14:10 Leadership Development and Transformation Insights
• 19:46 Career Coaching and Book Author Journey
• 23:19 Confidence, Mindset and Using Your Voice
• 28:45 Personal Branding and Being Bold