Creating Dreams for the Next Generation: Yvonne Wassenaar, CEO of Puppet

Today we are joined by another fascinating guest — Yvonne Wassenaar!   For the last 30 years, Yvonne has advised leaders on scaling, diversifying, and transforming their businesses globally. Currently, she is the CEO of Puppet; an infrastructure automation company that is eliminating soul-crushing work and empowering fearless and open innovation! Yvonne is also on the Board of Directors for Anaplan, Forrester (FORR), and Harvey Mudd College. Previously, she served as a Board Director for Airware, MuleSoft, Bitium, and the Athena Alliance. Some of her past executive roles include being the COO and CEO of Airware, CIO of New Relic, Office of the CXO at VMWare, and a Partner at Accenture where she began her career as a Software Engineer.   Above all else, Yvonne champions modern technologies for driving a safer, more efficient, and innovative planet. In today’s conversation, Yvonne shares her passion for modern technology (and the diversity we need to be seeing in the leadership roles behind it), lessons she learned over the course of the COVID pandemic, advice and insights around taking risks and nurturing your network, and all about her incredible career journey.   Key Takeaways: [:50] About today’s episode with Yvonne Wassenaar. [1:48] Welcoming Yvonne to the podcast. [2:00] Yvonne shares about her career journey and what led her to where she is today. [9:27] Yvonne shares about the challenging career transition of going from professional services to being an operator. [16:42] All about Puppet, the company that Yvonne is the CEO of. [20:44] What Yvonne learned about herself during the COVID pandemic. [26:42] Yvonne highlights some important changes that she wants to see for women in tech and diversity in the workplace in general. [31:36] Why Yvonne’s service on Corporate Boards is important to her and her company. [34:58] Yvonne shares some final words of wisdom for listeners on the theme of taking risks and nurturing your network. [37:24] Thanking Yvonne for joining the podcast and sharing her invaluable insights!   Mentioned in this Episode: Puppet Yvonne Wassenaar’s LinkedIn Anaplan Forrester (FORR) Harvey Mudd College Career Mapping: Charting Your Course in the New World of Work, by Ginny Clarke   About Fifth Dimensional Leadership & Ginny Clarke Fifth-Dimensional Leadership is a podcast about leadership — knowing yourself, speaking your truth, inspiring love, expanding your consciousness and activating your mastery. As an executive recruiter and career expert currently leading executive recruiting at a Fortune 20 tech company, Ginny Clarke is a passionate and authentic thought leader with a unique and deliberate perspective on work and life. She synthesizes aspects of her life as an African-American single mother who has successfully navigated corporate America for over 30 years. She has inspired, uplifted, and changed the lives of thousands and is intentional about bringing conscious awareness to people of all ages and stages.   Every other week, a new edition of Fifth-Dimensional Leadership will include fascinating guests, covering a variety of topics: power, personal branding, self-awareness, networking, fear, and career management   Stay Connected! To find more episodes or learn more, visit: GinnyClarke.com Connect with her on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Youtube