How do senior leaders actually land a seat on a corporate board - and what does board-ready really mean?

In this episode of Driving Impact: The Top 5% Method, we sit down with Gail to unpack her journey from banking and retail to technology leadership - and ultimately to serving on the board of a $5B NASDAQ-listed company.

Gail shares candid insights into how board appointments really happen, why personal brand and visibility matter more than people think, and how executive leaders can intentionally prepare themselves for board service long before headhunters come calling.

We explore the crucial difference between being executive-ready and board-ready, what boards actually look for beyond titles, and why nonprofit and pre-IPO board experience can be a powerful stepping stone. Gail also demystifies board committees, governance, and the financial realities of public company boards - insights rarely discussed openly.

To close, Gail steps into the Hot Seat for a rapid-fire conversation on success, leadership, career acceleration, and the habits that separate the top 5% from the rest.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why there is no “corporate ladder” - and what careers really look like
• How board seats are sourced (and why visibility matters)
• The difference between a résumé and a board bio
• What boards actually value: impact, judgment, and pattern recognition
• Audit committees, governance, and financial fluency
• When leaders should start thinking about board service
• The role of nonprofits, advisory boards, and pre-IPO companies
• How ambitious professionals can intentionally become board-ready

If you’re a senior leader, executive, or ambitious professional thinking about long-term career leverage, governance, and influence - this episode is a must-listen.

Follow Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gailmoodybyrd

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Danielle shares her journey from being the first in her family to attend college, to planning weddings for celebrities and high-profile clients, to expanding her brand into lifestyle, product launches, and future venture opportunities. Along the way, she opens up about navigating grief, burnout, and major life transitions - including walking away from Los Angeles and embracing a radically different way of living.

This conversation dives into resilience, reinvention, and the power of audacity - especially for founders who are ready to challenge traditional paths and create success on their own terms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Danielle turned a wedding planning business into a multi-faceted lifestyle brand
• What celebrity weddings really teach you about leadership and crisis management
• Why “rock bottom” can become the most powerful catalyst for growth
• The mindset shift from small business owner to founder
• Letting go of hustle culture and redefining success
• The role of wellness, boundaries, and self-trust in long-term sustainability
• Why thinking big, living boldly, and making it happen still matters

Connect with Danielle on Instagram: @itsdanielleleilani

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC

Invitation: Join the upcoming Masterclass on Tuesday February 3rd @ 11am PDT/ 2pm EST:

https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-webinar

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

04:34 Lunching Up and Down: Building Relationships

08:38 The Importance of Networking in Sales

15:44 The Power of the Mother Hive

20:15 Auditing Relationships for Personal Growth

24:58 Breaking Through Personal Barriers

25:11 Networking Strategies for Success

32:43 The Importance of Being Good at Your Job

38:54 Motherhood as a Career Amplifier

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC