Founder/president: Proximity To Power
Lindenmeyer says that in her current role as a C-level strategist in sales, marketing and growth, her MBA helps round out her ability to advise executives across many channels. “It gives a 360-degree understanding of how all things work: marketing, sales, IT, finance, HR and more. And then how they must work together to allow a company to flourish.” Formerly the CRO with Tech Wildcatters, Lindenmeyer is on the advisory board of Dallas Innovates; board of directors of Friends of Fair Park; and a committee member of the Ground Floor, United Way’s accelerator.
What do you enjoy about your current position/profession?
In my consulting, I’m able to use all of the skills I’ve learned throughout my career. I’m also able to utilize my very diverse and powerful network to help my clients scale. I work with many technology companies, venture capitalists and corporations to help build our innovation ecosystem. Working at that intersection is my passion. I also enjoy complete flexibility to sit on boards, speak at events, travel with clients, get involved with political campaigns and most importantly, pick my kids up from school. I’m busier than ever, but having my own business allows me to create a new normal.
How do you see your profession changing in the next five or 10 years?
Companies will always be starting-up; they will always have growing pains; and they will always need strategy. However, the demand for professionals who can problem-solve and use critical thinking at high levels will increase exponentially. With the onset of automation and robotics, the employee of tomorrow must understand how to provide continuing value. Lastly, employers must learn the workforce of the future won’t fit into a BOX. The best talent will demand flexibility, quality of life and a diverse and healthy culture.
What unexpected experience or event has shaped and/or influenced your current professional life?
Going to lunch with a childhood classmate. Instead of catching up, she convinced me to come work for her and join the tech/innovation community. The big ideas, fast pace and limitless opportunity around technology companies is addictive. No matter where my career takes me in the future, I know I will always work around innovation and stay committed to helping entrepreneurs grow.
What is a professional highlight of your career, either where you currently work or in the past?
Producing and planning Dallas’ largest startup pitch event on the floor of the American Airlines Center. We were able to bring start-ups, media, investors, Fortune 500 companies and aspiring entrepreneurs together. Dallas isn’t known as a technology hub. We have all of the right ingredients, but we need more people with power, influence and money to get interested. Creating high profile events that bring the right people together helps raise awareness and grows our community.
What characteristics do you look for when hiring people into your workplace?
There are so many important qualities in a good hire. So much of hiring is in interviewing people. I was trained as a recruiter in my first job after college. I learned so much about getting people to reveal their true selves. At the end of the day, I’m looking for smart, hard-working, DOERS, who take initiative. I hire problem solvers.
Why did you come to UT Dallas?
At the time, I worked for Baylor Health Care System and they would pay for higher education at a state institution. After researching the program and the future plans of UTD, I knew it would be a fantastic opportunity. I also wanted to keep working while in graduate school. UTD had the best professional program to allow for this.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
I was so busy with work and graduate school while attending UTD, I rarely got involved in much else. My favorite UTD memories are from the last couple of years as I have watched the school and the brand flourish. Also, watching UTD get so involved with the innovation and startup community is very rewarding. Getting to meet Guy Kawasaki at the Big Idea Competition on campus in 2017 was icing on the cake!
Did a UT Dallas professor inspire you? Who was that and how was that person inspirational?
One of my entrepreneurship professors each week brought different CEOs and company founders in to share their stories of success and failure. I had no idea how valuable those lessons would become. If you ever get the chance to learn from a great CEO, consider yourself lucky.
What advice do you have for college students hoping to succeed professionally?
Be bold. Be inquisitive. DO. I always ask potential hires how they feel about executing tasks. In order to learn and succeed and get the “BIG JOB,” you have to pay your dues. No way around it. Don’t have an ego. Be willing to do what it takes to get the job done. And, always ask for more responsibility.
What makes an effective leader?
A great listener, a great learner and a big thinker.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I don’t have free time! I run a business and have three beautiful children and an amazing husband. They are my free time. We love to travel to see other parts of the world and different ways of living. We love playing in the front yard during dusk just before dinner and baths. We love gathering with other friends and their kids to enjoy community. And, we love spending time with all of the grandparents and aunts and uncles we are fortunate enough to have living nearby.
