SEI Women's Network

#HERSTORY | 12 #HERSTORY I N T E R V I E W S LINDA SCAVONE Director of Risk, SEI Private Trust Company (SPTC), 10 years at SEI What are three things that your colleagues don't know about you? 1. I love a good DIY challenge— from crown molding to creating my kids' birthday cake requests to providing Zoom-approved haircuts. 2. I'm a (recovering?) sucker for "As Seen on TV" products and infomercials. My first purchase was the Ab Roller. I didn't have a credit card at the time so I borrowed my brother's to buy it. Obviously, I got that six pack in 30 days as promised. 3. I'm a mother of three (ages 2, 5 and 7) … and expecting #4 in the spring! How have your career goals changed since entering the workforce and progressing through your career? What's been consistent from the beginning is my desire to succeed. However, my goal trajectories—and the pace and patience that I've needed to reach my career goals and blend them with my personal goals—has changed. When I started my career at KPMG, I was single with no kids. My goals were largely around top performance, promotions and working on the most sought-after projects. It was a truly rewarding experience to learn, work with great people and travel internationally. I decided to leave KPMG after five years to find another great company but with less travel and more predictable hours to set the foundation for my then-future family life. When I joined SEI, my initial goals were to learn the company, make a difference on my team and to get to know the people. After two years at SEI, I had my first child. When reality and infant months hit, I adjusted my goal from "having it all" to more realistically taking care of my baby and functioning as a human being at home and work. As I was able to hit my stride as a working mother, my goals have been to be a rockstar at my job, make an impact and build meaningful connections. What accomplishments (personal and/or professional) are you most proud of? As a disclaimer, I'm not "that person" who always says this, but for this question it works: I'm living the dream … the American dream. My parents immigrated to the U.S. in search of what many immigrants search for—a better life for themselves and our family. I'm proud and grateful reflecting on where my parents and our family started and where I am now in my personal and professional life. My husband and I have been able to nurture and support our family while building our careers. Looking back on this year, 2020 really brought the acronym "VUCA" to life. What is your biggest lesson learned from this year? (VUCA = Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) Be patient—with yourself, and with others. Thinking about our new virtual world and all that we've experienced this year, what do you think are one or two key qualities that will set leaders apart in 2021 and beyond? • Strategic thinking and creativity navigating through complex situations • Creative collaboration to bring people together

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