What Happens When Success Means More Than the Corporate Ladder?
What happens when a high-achieving life sciences executive decides there’s more to success than climbing the corporate ladder? Meet Stephanie Joong, a leader mastering the art of blending her corporate expertise with her passion for wellness and self-discovery.
In this episode of Women Leaders on the Move, host Natalie Benamou sits down with Stephanie to reflect on her journey from years of leadership in life sciences to building new pathways that include wellness, retreats, and community. Together, they revisit the joy (and hard work) of co-creating Thrive in 2025, a women’s leadership event built from scratch, and why creating space for yourself and others leads to deeper alignment and fulfillment.
“Thrive in 2025 was about creating a high-touch, curated experience where every woman could choose her own path and still feel part of something bigger.” – Stephanie Joong
🌟 Key Insights:
Stephanie shares how saying yes to a “small idea” became the launching point for something much bigger. Her story shows that you don’t have to walk away from corporate to embrace a portfolio career — instead, you can expand your definition of leadership by weaving together professional excellence and personal purpose.
3 Ways to Blend Career and Wellness
1.Transfer Your Corporate Training – Leverage the skills and leadership you’ve honed in corporate as the foundation for what’s next.
2. Create Intentional Space – Treat wellness not just as self-care, but as a core part of strategic career planning.
3. Bridge Industries Strategically – Explore the synergies between your career today and the work that brings you joy.
"“I’m shifting a little bit, making more space for the health and wellness industry, to mix really nicely with my life sciences background.” Stephanie Joong
Whether you’re feeling stuck, curious about solopreneurship, or simply ready to design a life that blends professional success with personal well-being, Stephanie’s story offers both inspiration and practical insight. It’s a reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be defined by one path — it can be created on your own terms.
ACTION STEP
Take 10 minutes this week to reflect: What part of my professional expertise could I transfer into something that also fuels my personal joy? Write down one way you could begin to make space for it in your current career.
Special thanks to Hope Mueller and Jen Pestikas for introducing us and Jackie Cetera our Thrive Team!
Keep Shining Your Light Bright. The World Needs You!
About Stephanie Joong
With over 15 years in the life sciences industry starting as an engineer and transitioning to business leadership, Stephanie has built a career she's deeply proud of. As a committed advocate for women in STEM, she volunteers actively providing situational coaching for college students, early-career professionals, grad school applicants, and career shifters. Now, she's applying that same mentorship approach to her own journey as she transitions from traditional corporate leadership to solopreneurship, creating space for both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.
Connect with Natalie Benamou
Natalie Benamou is the visionary behind Women Leaders on the Move, a Top 10 Women’s Leadership podcast by Feedspot. As the Founder of HerCsuite®, she leads a powerful leadership network for women navigating board service, portfolio careers, and entrepreneurship—especially in the second half of their professional lives. Work 1:1 with Natalie as a strategic advisor or fractional Chief Growth Officer.
Natalie also serves as President of HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit revolutionizing the way women experience healthcare.
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This podcast is brought to you by HerCsuite®’s programs Land Your Next Board Role. Explore curated programs, real conversations, and experiences designed for women shaping what’s next—for themselves and the organizations they lead. Learn more at HerCsuite.com.
