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All Episodes › Episode 4
What does it take to leave a high performing corporate path and build something of your own without losing your voice, your confidence or your center?
In this episode of Women I Want You to Know by Andrea L. Johnston™ Podcast, Andrea sits down with Abenaa Hayes, founder of Elysee Consulting, and a communications and brand marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience across healthcare, biotech, social impact and inclusion. Abenaa shares how her global upbringing shaped her, why representation matters for women leaders and how she made the leadership transition from agency executive to entrepreneur.
This conversation speaks directly to women navigating unclear rules and power dynamics and the pressure to use performance as protection. Abenaa offers a grounded look at what it means to build self trust while operating at pace, manage decision making when the stakes are high and lead and communicate through chaos without reacting from fear.
In this episode, listeners will hear:
- What Abenaa had to unlearn when transitioning from manager to leader and then to founder
- Why perfectionism in leadership keeps high achievers stuck in execution instead of strategic leadership
- How women can gain influence at work by building community and creating space for conversation
- Why the power of the pause creates clarity in chaotic leadership cycles
- How AI tools support communicators while human judgment stays essential
- What fractional leadership makes possible for modern companies and women entrepreneurs
- Why networking still drives career growth for women leaders and female founders
Abenaa also shares her favorite Brooklyn and New York City recommendations plus a practical reminder for women leaders and founders: build a squad, stay visible and do not try to navigate leadership loneliness alone.
