ExpatWomen's Interview with Stacie Nevadomski Berdan
ExpatWomen:Stacie, you moved to Hong Kong (your first expatriate assignment) the day after your wedding, as a 27-year old vice-president for Burson-Marsteller, a leading global Public Relations firm. You returned to the US three years later as a global managing director. To what do you accredit your rapid career progression?
Stacie: Hard work, top-notch performance and my international experience. I spent three intense years working in Hong Kong. I left Washington, D.C., at a critical juncture in my mid-level career and transitioned to a senior global position upon my return to DC.
At the age of 34 I was named partner in WPP (Burson-Marsteller's parent company) and ranked in the top one percent of the largest marketing conglomerate in the world. It was my time in Hong Kong, however, that gave me the opportunity to effectively differentiate and distinguish myself. In the growth markets of Asia, I took on leadership and management responsibility much earlier in my career, managing a large team of professionals, counseling senior executive of Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) and delivering business results in a foreign environment. This experience catapulted me forward not just in title, but in responsibilities and financial incentives as well.
ExpatWomen:Can you please share with us what you think gave you the ‘edge' to be chosen to be posted abroad by your employer?
Stacie: There are a few things I believe were key to my edge in being selected – and some lessons others can learn. First, I was a top-performer who worked hard and excelled at new projects, taking on increased responsibility with every new client. Second, I made it known that I wanted an international posting, filling out the necessary forms and telling my supervisor. I even went so far as to take time out of personal vacations – in London, Paris, Rome and Seoul – to visit Burson-Marsteller offices to build my network of international contacts. I worked on a few international assignments and, although I was not sent on any international trips at first, my supervisors noticed I worked well with non-American clients. When a senior member of the Bombay office came to visit DC, he mentioned a short-term assignment in India. I was the only one who raised my hand for this assignment and although India did not materialize, it got the ball rolling and me the attention of our CEO and COO. I was on a plane to Hong Kong nine months later.
ExpatWomen:Hong Kong is well-known for its large expatriate community. Did you come across many expat female executives? In what fields, industries or occupations did you find expat female executives the most common?
Stacie: Hong Kong is one of the best places to be a professional woman if you want fair play in the workplace. A significant proportion of women work, and because it was the regional HQs for most MNCs, there were many female expats, including fellow Americans, Brits, Germans, French, Aussies, Korean, Japanese, Indians. These expats worked across all major industries and were mid- to senior-levels. In the book I wrote with Perry Yeatman (see below), several women quoted work in Hong Kong – the group is thriving – and I am scheduled to speak to approximately 1000 women at eight organizations in Hong Kong during my book tour there in April.
ExpatWomen:Many women worry how their partners will handle being the ‘trailing spouse' abroad. How did your husband handle it? Was he able to work? How did his time abroad affect his career once you both repatriated to the US?
Stacie: Being a trailing – or as I like to call them "accompanying" – spouse can be hard on both men and women. An adventurous, traveling type, my husband, Mike, was thrilled with the prospect of living in Hong Kong. He worked for an environmental think tank in Washington DC at the time, and he believed he might be able to get in on the ground floor of the environmental movement in China. Well, that didn't happen, however, he turned his love of research, history and traveling into a new profession: freelance photojournalism. He continues in this profession today. One of the secrets to a successful partnership abroad is to appreciate your spouse, whether they work or not, because living in a foreign environment challenges and tires even the most determined. It's tough-going sometimes and you must support each other at all times.
ExpatWomen:What were your favorite aspects of Hong Kong? What were some of the areas that most challenged you?
Stacie: I loved living and working in Hong Kong. It is a dynamic, hard-working fascinating city that pulsates round-the-clock. English is widespread, and the mix of foreign nationals mixing into a Chinese city creates a productive melting pot. The people are interesting, smart and savvy, and my team of Hong Kong professionals showed me the depth and caliber of the Hong Kong people. Their reaction to the change from British to Chinese leadership took place during my time there, and it was both fascinating and heart-wrenching to watch the struggle. But Hong Kong people are survivors, and they have turned the last 10 years into opportunity. I would rate Hong Kong as one of the most interesting places to visit – and one of the best to live and work – in the world.
ExpatWomen:After returning to the US, you took some unpaid leave to give birth to your twin daughters, then to telecommute, once balancing your work and family life. You moved later to Unilever for two years, then decided to give it all up to write the book, ‘Get Ahead By Going Abroad: A Woman's Guide to Fast-track Career Success' with Perry Yeatman – another woman who leap-frogged her career forward during her time abroad. You're now active on the global speaking circuit. What should we expect from you next?
Stacie: I am one of those lucky people fortunate enough to have a second career – this time as lecturer and consultant on international affairs – and significant time with my family as well. I'm able to bring my cross-cultural experience to bear on a diverse mixture of industries and organizations, discussing what it's like to be a female leader with international experience in these dynamic times. I am passionate about the importance of incorporating the international experience into the college experience – undergraduate and most definitely MBAs – and I am spending a great deal of time working with universities in the US to redefine such programs. In addition, I have several book topics I'd like to publish on – one I hope to have out next year! Moreover, I spend significant time traveling – one of the perks of living abroad – and continue to travel with my husband and twin daughters around the world. It's critical to introduce the beauty of the world to children – and such fun!
ExpatWomen:Many thanks for your generous responses, Stacie. We wish you and your family many happy years ahead.
