Taking Calculated Risks with Racquel Harris, Multiple Board Director

When we take calculated risks, we are rewarded with new opportunities and experiences that will have an impact both personally and professionally. This week’s episode 40 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about taking calculated risks!In this episode of How Women Inspire Podcast, Julie Castro Abrams and Racquel Harris are sharing how Racquel has designed her life around finding curiosity and joy through a fulfilling career and the encouragement you need to open yourself to taking risks and reaping the rewards that come. Today’s guest, Racquel Harris is an experienced leader with over 25 years working with Fortune 500 companies under her belt, including expat assignments in Canada, the UK and Switzerland. She has been a brand builder, leader, and former VP of merchandising for a billion dollar adult beverage business and the SVP of marketing for Sam’s Club, the $500 billion division of Walmart. If you thought she was impressive already, Racquel also spent 15 years leading the marketing portfolio of several grocery brands at Kraft Foods, working in brands like Digiorno Pizza, Kraft Singles, Cheez Whiz, Cool Whip, Jello and more. Now that she is retired, she spends her time as an independent director, mentoring aspiring executives, and most important of all- enjoying her life. She is the director on the board of Beta Rudder, an advertising and marketing services company and also serves on the Board of Trustees of our favorite theatre company, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. The list goes on. Racquel is also on the advisory board of a family owned industrial products company and recently joined me and our community on the Chicago Executive Board for How Women Lead. She has one of the most impressive resumes and I am honored to call her my friend. Some of the talking points Julie and Racquel go over in this episode include:The top leadership skills that allowed Racquel to have such a huge impact everywhere she went. Taking risks to further yourself in your career and how to know which risks are right for you to take. Advice for people looking to travel and get the gift that experiencing other cultures brings. The 3 question buckets to ask yourself in figuring out if you are on the right career path. What you need to know and do if you are preparing to retire early.We encourage you to life your life fully with intention, be open to evolving, and focusing on becoming the happiest version of yourself by taking whatever risks it takes to get you there. Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, take a screenshot of the episode to post in your stories and tag me!  And don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast and tell me your key takeaways!CONNECT WITH RACQUEL HARRIS:LinkedInCONNECT WITH JULIE CASTRO ABRAMS:LinkedIn - JulieHow Women LeadHow Women InvestHow Women GiveInstagram - HWLLinkedIn - HWLFacebook - HWL