FNZ CEO on beating cancer, being CEO after treatment and advice in life and career

“If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.” Joanie Hughes, CEO of FNZ.

In this episode, Joanie shares the story of her younger years coming from a large ambitious farming family and her journey to becoming CEO of FNZ.  Joanie discusses the challenges of moving from colleague to CEO and what it takes to continuously strive for more.

In early 2022, Joanie received some life-changing news regarding her health. She had cancer. Joanie discusses the impact this new reality had on her mental health, family, and career. Joanie inspires us about the impact of a positive and strong mindset in the face of adversity, not even cancer was going to stop Joanie from reaching her goals.

It was only 6 months ago that Joanie received her cancer-free diagnosis. Having gone through such a life-changing experience, Joanie will share with us, some valuable and learned perspectives on life and career.

 

01:16 Joanie’s upbringing and family life in her younger years – what created her ambition

04:21 Changes that happened when Joanie from a colleague to the CEO of her company

07:10 How does Joanie keep developing and upskilling

09:40 Challenges in the CEO role

12:14 Life-changing health news – cancer diagnosis and how she handled it

15:58 Joanie’s range of emotions on the journey and her family

17:24 Joanie’s confidence growing during her chemo

18:39 How did Joanie change during this – how Janie discovered the power of mindset

20:22 Interviewing for the CEO role 3 weeks after chemo how her confidence grew during chemo

22:29 Perspectives gained going through her treatment

26:28 Joanie discusses success in the face of adversity and shares advice on how to strive for more

28:17 Joanie shares her advice to those going through their own struggles, physical and mental

30:30 Fun questions to wrap up the interview

 

Joanie's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanie-hughes-b999b622/

Sarah's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mcgrath/

Listen on:

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6Td60vAXI34DSc0pCo9VSD

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/ceo-corner-by-sarah-mcgrath/id1699003552