#141 From Retail Racks to C-Suites: Tracy Nolan on Values-Driven Leadership, Mentorship, and Transforming Industries

What if the straightest line to a bigger career is choosing the uncomfortable zones? On episode #141, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tracy Nolan, Fortune 100 executive, transformation leader, and champion of women in leadership, to unpack the choices and mindsets that turned discomfort into momentum. From retail floors to the front lines of telecom, from global negotiations to a mission-driven role in healthcare, Tracy shows how to trust your instincts, claim your seat, and bring others with you.

We dig into the moment a sponsor pushed her into a stretch role and why that single act of belief changed her trajectory. Tracy breaks down the difference between mentorship and sponsorship (and how to be a great mentee), shares a simple mental model for speaking up in intimidating rooms, and explains how demanding goals can coexist with deep empathy and active listening. Her stories, like giving a CEO-ready plan just ten days into a new job, reveal how confidence is built: not by waiting to be “A+ ready,” but by acting, learning, and iterating.

Tracy also opens up about why healthcare fits her purpose, the women-first culture she’s found at Humana, and the platform she’s building, Lift as They Climb, to make sponsorship among women the norm, not the exception. We talk board pathways, continuous learning, and the skill set that will outlast every tool in an AI-driven economy: leading people through change with clarity, process, and heart.

If boldness has been on your list, consider this your nudge. Listen, and share this with a friend who needs a push.  Additionally, if possible, please leave a review of the show. This will help us grow and increase our visibility on the streaming channels.  

Resources:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyenolan/
Website: www.tracynolan.com 

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome & Tracy’s Career Snapshot
• 2:50 Challenging Comfort Zones Early On
• 5:20 Breaking Into Telecom and Rising
• 9:30 Trusting Instincts Over Stability
• 12:40 Stop Waiting to Be Fully Qualified
• 16:50 Mentorship vs Sponsorship That Lifts
• 22:00 Owning Space and Authentic Presence
• 27:00 Strength, Grace, and Listening to Lead
• 31:00 Why Healthcare and Why Humana
• 35:00 Caregiving, Empathy, and Impact