Falling out of the Cradle into the Boardroom

by Billi Saucier

Overview

This book is the story of a twin girl who survives a childhood of abandonment, foster homes, boarding school, an extended family, and an abusive marriage at eighteen. Following her exit from that marriage at twenty-seven with four children, Saucier devotes her efforts to making a life for her children, furthering her education, and pursuing a career. In the face of prejudice against working mothers and divorcées, Saucier becomes a corporate leader, breaking the glass ceiling at the age of thirty-five as a vice president of Medtronic Inc.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984554550
Publisher:	Xlibris US
Publication date:	09/19/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	142
File size:	223 KB

About the Author

Spending over 25 years as a corporate leader, Saucier first became a corporate officer in 1971, as Vice President of Medtronic, Inc., a pioneer of the implantable cardiac pace-maker. For more than five years prior to that time, Saucier played the role in top management of the company during the growth from a start-up company to a large international leader. Prior to joining Medtronic, Saucier held various positions in several major corporations, such as Pillsbury Mills, Honeywell, Soo Line Railroad, and smaller firms, such as a law firm, municipal bond firm, air conditioning manufacturer, engineering firm, and a city and county planning firm. It was her background in these jobs that prepared her for success in Medtronic. Later, Saucier held position of executive vice president, president and board of director in several corporations, including Lund Martin, Inc., Minnesota Laser, and Surgical Inovations, Inc. Spending eight years as a business consultant, Saucier worked with start-up companies in the medical device field. Saucier attributes her success to several factors: a great deal of self-education, recognizing opportunities, attempting new challenges, and a willingness to make others look good without personal recognition. During the years of raising her four children, as a divorced mother, Saucier devoted all of her time and efforts to her children, career and education. In addition to attending night school at the University of Minnesota, she also attended many classes pertaining to her job. To expand her business acumen, she joined professional societies, such as Administrative Management Society, National Planners Society, Public Relations Society of America, Zonta International and Association for the Advancement of Medicine. When her children were in college, she became active as a leader in the community in organizations such as United Way Corporate Contributions Manager, an American Arbitrator, the Children Home Society Fund Raiser, International Water Ski Event in the Minneapolis Acquatennial, Member of the Minnetonka Planning Commission, participation in the Minority Entrepreneur Development Association, and Boys and Girls Club Fund Raisers. Upon retirement, Saucier enrolled in a nursing program, to satisfy her desire to work directly with patients. She worked in the oncology department of a major clinic, which is now the Santa Barbara Cancer Center of Sansum, until she was 79 years old. Still a high energy person, Saucier finds time for bridge, jazz, symphony, oil painting, nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and her many friends.