Why Your Biggest "Failure" Might Be Your Greatest Career Catalyst with Colleen Bowman || EP.202

When Colleen Bowman didn't get into her dietetics internship—twice—she thought her career was over before it began. Instead, that rejection became the catalyst that launched her into becoming a transformative HR leader at one of the most unique companies in America.

"I had a little too much fun in college," Colleen admits with a laugh. But that social experience—building networks, connecting with people—turned out to be the foundation of everything that followed. Today, as VP of Human Resources at IAC, she oversees benefits for a portfolio of brands you know and use every day: Angie's List, People Magazine, Food & Wine, and dozens more.

This conversation with host Laurie McGraw isn't just about climbing the corporate ladder—it's about how the detours define us. For Colleen, those detours included a boss who told her she wasn't ready for a promotion (spoiler: she was), mentors who took chances on her, and the realization that sometimes you have to stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them.

What makes Colleen's leadership philosophy unique? "Empathetic with expectations." She leads with understanding but refuses to treat her team "too preciously." She believes in them too much for that. She sets high standards because she knows they can meet them.

Now, as healthcare costs explode and benefits become the single largest line item on corporate balance sheets, Colleen is tackling one of business's biggest challenges: How do you get employees to care about their health before it's a crisis? How do you communicate complex benefits to diverse populations—from magazine editors to home repair professionals? And how do you treat a benefits program like the multi-million dollar business it actually is?

In this episode of Inspiring Women with Laurie McGraw, Colleen also speaks about:

Why saying "yes" to everything early in your career is essential—and when you need to start saying "no"

How to build trust and partnerships that actually move the needle in organizations

What happens when benefits become too big for leadership to ignore

Why HR's "seat at the table" debate misses the real point

How to navigate the coming healthcare crisis with transparency and trust

What "fake it till you make it" really means for women leaders

Chapter Markers

03:37 From Nutrition Dreams to Benefits Reality

08:17 When Your Boss Says You're Not Ready

10:51 Building Relationships as a Leadership Superpower

14:49 Raising Your Hand vs. Reaching for Opportunities

16:24 Empathetic with Expectations: A New Leadership Model

19:38 The Business of Benefits in Divisive Times

Guest & Host Links

Connect with Laurie McGraw on LinkedIn

Connect with Colleen Bowman on LinkedIn

Connect with Inspiring Women

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