Lead to Soar: Career Advice and Guidance for Ambitious Women Leaders

Guest Bio: Laura Ryan BA (Hons), MSc, DipM MCIM 

Laura has a First-Class Honours in Marketing and a Masters in Management and has also achieved Chartered Marketer status via the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Laura joined the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in 2007 after successfully launching premium beef & lamb brands within a large butchery business in the North East of England. Working her way through the ranks she was appointed as Sector Strategy Director for Beef & Lamb Board in 2015. She led the strategic review and development for the Beef & Lamb sector in England by identifying key challenges and opportunities which deliver long-term growth. Last year, Laura successfully launched Lavenpark, her own consultancy business, which is working with levy boards and government and commercial companies to achieve greater success through improved industry insight, connectivity, business development, marketing, and communications. Laura is the founder and global Chair of Meat Business Women, launched in 2015. The United Nations have recently recognized it with Laura presenting on the contribution Meat Business Women makes to the global Sustainable Development Goals. 

Link

Meat Business Women

Episode Quotes

On Strategy -- “Don’t let folks tell you that it’s more complicated than that. Understand, do the research, understand where you are now, what’s the ambition, what’s the macro-environmental impact, what are your competitors doing, get the research, get the data, and then map out a road map.” - Laura Ryan “Strategic networking is essentially about generosity and reciprocity, but we have to invest time in it. And [we’re] debunking the myth that your networking is turning up to conferences or after-work functions with mediocre wine and dreadful canapes... It’s genuine care, but also having that strategic intent. And being able to say – this is where I want to be able have an impact in my industry, my sector, wherever it may be.” -Michelle Redfern "I think the networking piece is really important... investing in your network, in your personal board.” - Laura Ryan “Be brave and push yourself outside your comfort zone.” - Laura Ryan

Lead to Soar is a podcast for ambitious women and the leaders who support them. Hosted by Michelle Redfern and Mel Butcher, it delivers evidence-based, practical advice on leadership, career progression, and closing the gender gap. Join the Lead to Soar Network at leadtosoar.network or get Michelle’s book The Leadership Compass at michelleredfern.com/book.