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Tammy Meinershagen, a former musician and public school teacher, is the first Asian American representative on the Frisco City Council. Meinershagen, a Frisco resident since 2004, has championed arts and diversity. She is also the Chief Creative Officer of Blackshaw Partners, where she oversees business operations and strategy. Meinershagen spoke at the 2019 Women in Business Summit.
How has the business world changed since the beginning of your career?
When I graduated from Northwestern University in 1997, it was a very different time. Email was still a novelty, and hand-held cell phones were the newest thing on the market. Because everyone was so humble, there was a certain, linear career path to follow, making it difficult to change jobs or move to other industries. There is no doubt that mobility in the workforce has changed a lot due to the advancement of technology!
The business world has become more connected and accessible at all entry levels, and post-pandemic, there is more fluidity. You are no longer stuck on one path in your career; With online resources and social media, you can explore different opportunities and learn about them quickly, which didn’t exist when I first entered the workplace.
How have you changed?
I like to say that my career is not just plain vanilla, it has many flavors! I have been a public school English teacher, a professional musician, a nonprofit executive, a business consultant, and now the Chief Innovation Officer of an international executive search firm. All of these experiences have developed a variety of skills to work successfully with multiple cross-functional teams, from students to CEOs and everyone in between.
I’ve grown personally and professionally in each role and the biggest way I’ve changed is learning to embrace who I am, my strengths, weaknesses and what brings me joy. It took me 46 years to be comfortable in my own skin, and I can’t wait to hit 50!
What obstacles did you face?
I decided to leave the workforce to raise our three beautiful daughters, and began volunteering in various capacities in the public sector. I was interested in changing our city for the better and fostering art, culture and diversity, but because I didn’t follow a traditional career path, my work experience was much easier than people around me. I thought that it could really have a significant voice or influence without their title, and I also felt uncomfortable sometimes being the only Asian American woman in the room. All of this made me deeply doubt my abilities and strength. I now realize that my biggest obstacle was not the other people or situations around me, but my attitude towards myself.
Did any of the obstacles surprise you?
When I started re-entering the workplace after taking time away from my family, I had no idea how difficult the process would be. As women, I think we tend to second-guess and downplay our experiences, especially if there is a gap in our reported education. It was important to connect with friends who had gone down that path before me for advice and connections, which made for a smooth transition into the workplace.
What experiences, training, or education have best prepared you?
Being a musician has taught me the value of stepping into another world, taking time to reflect, and persevering to the end. Through the arts, I’ve learned the valuable life lessons of practicing until you get it right and taking things from concept to reality, no matter how hard it is along the way.
I have also been given the view that success is not always a straight climb to the top of the corporate ladder; Sometimes, it looks more like a spiral staircase. There is still forward movement, even if you seem to be going in circles.
My diverse experiences in brand management, business strategy, cross-cultural communications, public relations and philanthropy are all brought to bear in my current role as Chief Innovation Officer of Blackshaw Partners, a 40-year-old global executive search firm. I oversee all business operations and strategies to expand the Blackshaw Partners brand, both in the US and internationally. I lead the firm’s Global DEI practice and client engagements in Dallas/Frisco. Our team is ethnically diverse and majority female, and we help build talented, diverse teams with top leaders around the world. I love what I do, and I am grateful for every experience that has prepared me for it.
What has helped you the most during your career?
What has helped me the most in my career is the willingness of trusted leaders to build me up both personally and professionally. They gave me great perspective when I couldn’t see a way forward, and encouraged me to persevere through many obstacles. Without their wisdom, I would not be where I am today.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I received so much great advice, it’s hard to pick just one! Here are my favorite 3:
“You can do everything, but you can’t do everything at once. There is no such thing as balance.”
Obstacles are not always walls, but speed bumps.
“Just show up. You never know what will happen if you do.”
What is the worst advice?
I don’t believe in skipping the dessert. I may not finish it, but I will definitely enjoy a few bites!
What do you wish you knew before?
Everything you have done up to this point in your career is worth it. Sometimes we see messy, tangled threads on the back of the plate, and the years seem stunted or fruitless. But, when you rewind the tape, it’s a beautiful masterpiece that tells your unique story. Every part of your job, the volunteer work, the people you meet along the way, the seemingly insignificant roles you’ve taken on – it all matters. Nothing is wasted. Your lived experience has a purpose, and the beauty is in the process of discovery.
What advice would you give to others?
Raise your hand and take the leap to the next level. If not now, when? If not you, who? You don’t have to have all the answers; Just do it out of fear.
Do you have any memories of women in business?
One of my fondest memories was Kathryn Wagner, Executive Director of the Business Council for the Arts, speaking at the 2017 Women in Business Summit. , and it meant a lot to me to have someone be included as a keynote speaker in such a high-powered business forum in the art world. It gave me gravitas for our work in the arts, and inspired me to create one of our company’s most successful initiatives, Ladies Who Launch, which supports women artists. In the year I loved sharing that story when I was the 2019 Women in Business Speaker. It was full circle time!
What do you think the future holds for women in the business world?
I have three daughters and one is about to graduate from college and enter the business world. I’m excited for her because there have been many positive cultural changes in the past 30 years that have moved the needle toward greater gender and racial equality. We still have a lot of work to do to break not only the glass ceiling, but especially the “bamboo ceiling” of Asian women; However, now more than ever there are more opportunities for women and girls. Additionally, as DEI initiatives grow from small businesses to large corporations, creating an inclusive, more equitable environment is no longer an afterthought, and will continue to evolve.
Which book has influenced you and your career?
Confidence speed It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read by Steven Covey. The bottom line is that true success, both business and personal, comes down to trust and communication.
Think about a current issue at work; If it boils down, it is because there is some level of mistrust and misunderstanding. Identify trust breakdowns between employees, departments, or customers, then work intentionally to build trust, and you can move mountains.
What is the biggest mistake you see women make when it comes to raising them?
Career?
I think the biggest mistake is not betting on yourself. Most of the things we worry about don’t happen, and we limit ourselves more than we should. We should ask for the opportunities we want and not be afraid to take them when they come.
What was one of the most interesting (or useful) things you learned this year?
In the year I never imagined that I would be running a political campaign and running for public office as early as 2022! I am proud to be the first Asian-American to serve on the Frisco City Council and one of the fastest growing cities in America. Being sworn in during API Month this year was very meaningful, and one little Asian girl told her mom she didn’t know Asians could run for office until I announced my candidacy! Frisco is actually 26% Asian-American, and representation matters. It’s an honor to be a part of other people’s journeys in civic engagement, and I’m so grateful for this new chapter in my life.
What is a recurring obstacle for you? (time, money, attitude, space, knowledge, etc.)
What strategies are you using to overcome that?
One of my frequent setbacks is not playing the piano and violin regularly. Music is really my first love, and it’s a lot of fun to play. It’s like visiting with old friends. One strategy I’ve used recently is saying “yes” when asked to do a solo concert. My first was this past Valentine’s at the Nack Theater in Frisco; I composed 80s, 90s, jazz, pop and classical love songs and performed to sold-out crowds of 200 on both instruments. I was overwhelmed by the support and planning a concert forced me to practice. Months ago. I said “yes” to doing a holiday concert this December to keep the run going, so the pressure is back on to start practicing again!
What is your personal brand and how do you develop it?
I believe my personal label is a champion of arts, culture and diversity. It is the thread that weaves my entire story, from growing up with Korean immigrant parents in Rockford, Illinois to my current role in public office and international organization. Helping others feel included and part of their community in your neighborhood, school, business or city is my life’s mission. One of the best ways to nurture your brand is to serve with passion. I am a member of the Orchid Giving Club through the Texas Women’s Foundation to support Asian-American causes in North Texas. I am also a business consultant for the Frisco Arts Foundation, Legacy Christian Academy, Leadership Preparatory School, and Frisco Public Schools. The most important thing about growing your brand is to be authentic and find what truly brings you joy. When you do, you make your work your game and play your work!
Environmental profileThe 21st Annual Women in Business Conference will be held on September 30th at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel in Plano’s Legacy West. Click here for tickets.
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