044: The Value of Being an Outsider – Deborah Midanek
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Deborah Midanek is a corporate turnaround specialist who currently lives and works in Grenada, Mississippi where she has started several businesses in an effort to revitalize the local economy. A native of NewYork City, Midanek started her career in college admissions and interestingly evolved into a role in railroad mergers as part of a summer internship she did in graduate school. From there, she moved into the world of investment banking and this later translated into her helping challenged companies work through their troubles as a turnaround consultant.
Deborah says her whole life has been one big transition, beginning in her early years when she attended thirteen different elementary schools as her single-parent mother tried to take care of her brother and herself by moving constantly to make ends meet. She learned early to be adaptable, and as a result, she is one of those people who’s “not too concerned about change”. Today, she lives happily with her husband in Grenada, Mississippi where she owns several local businesses and has written two books.
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In this episode we discuss:
Deborah’s educational journey, including how she was accepted to the Wharton School of Business WITH a guaranteed job offer.
How she worked on a merger project between two railroad lines during graduate school, and how that sparked her interest in the business world.
How Deborah was a busy corporate turnaround consultant in New York City when she met her husband, a farmer from Grenada, Mississippi, at a conference, and how this presented a new opportunity for a different kind of turnaround in her life.
Deborah’s resilience and how she learned she had to “get a grip” and move forward no matter what life threw her way, and how that has served her.
How Deborah purchased several buildings in the Grenada community and started a few different businesses, working with local entrepreneurs and economic development organizations to collaboratively boost the local economy.
Her mindset of being a misfit and what that has meant for her.
Links
Books mentioned in this episode:
“The Governance Resolution: What Every Board Member Needs to Know, NOW!” by Deborah Hicks Midanek
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Prior to establishing her practice, Tammy held a variety of positions in mental health services, higher education administration, public policy analysis and fundraising. Her practical knowledge and experience in organizational development, program management and business operations builds a relatable relationship with clients striving for higher performance results.
