The Top 5% Method®

How do senior leaders actually land a seat on a corporate board - and what does board-ready really mean?
In this episode of Driving Impact: The Top 5% Method, we sit down with Gail to unpack her journey from banking and retail to technology leadership - and ultimately to serving on the board of a $5B NASDAQ-listed company.
Gail shares candid insights into how board appointments really happen, why personal brand and visibility matter more than people think, and how executive leaders can intentionally prepare themselves for board service long before headhunters come calling.
We explore the crucial difference between being executive-ready and board-ready, what boards actually look for beyond titles, and why nonprofit and pre-IPO board experience can be a powerful stepping stone. Gail also demystifies board committees, governance, and the financial realities of public company boards - insights rarely discussed openly.
To close, Gail steps into the Hot Seat for a rapid-fire conversation on success, leadership, career acceleration, and the habits that separate the top 5% from the rest.
In this episode, we cover:
Why there is no “corporate ladder” - and what careers really look like
How board seats are sourced (and why visibility matters)
The difference between a résumé and a board bio
What boards actually value: impact, judgment, and pattern recognition
Audit committees, governance, and financial fluency
When leaders should start thinking about board service
The role of nonprofits, advisory boards, and pre-IPO companies
How ambitious professionals can intentionally become board-ready
If you’re a senior leader, executive, or ambitious professional thinking about long-term career leverage, governance, and influence - this episode is a must-listen.
Follow Gail on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gailmoodybyrd

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Danielle shares her journey from being the first in her family to attend college, to planning weddings for celebrities and high-profile clients, to expanding her brand into lifestyle, product launches, and future venture opportunities. Along the way, she opens up about navigating grief, burnout, and major life transitions - including walking away from Los Angeles and embracing a radically different way of living.
This conversation dives into resilience, reinvention, and the power of audacity - especially for founders who are ready to challenge traditional paths and create success on their own terms.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Danielle turned a wedding planning business into a multi-faceted lifestyle brand
What celebrity weddings really teach you about leadership and crisis management
Why “rock bottom” can become the most powerful catalyst for growth
The mindset shift from small business owner to founder
Letting go of hustle culture and redefining success
The role of wellness, boundaries, and self-trust in long-term sustainability
Why thinking big, living boldly, and making it happen still matters
Connect with Danielle on Instagram: @itsdanielleleilani

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC

Invitation: Join the upcoming Masterclass on Tuesday February 3rd @ 11am PDT/ 2pm EST: 
https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-webinar
 
Follow us online:
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Follow us on all podcasting channels. Comment + Watch the video on Spotify.
Accelerate your career in 2026. Explore the methods: https://www.top5percentmethod.com/
Apply now: https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-accelerator-waitlist
Join the high performance tribe in my FREE newsletter: https://www.top5method.com/
 
 
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
04:34 Lunching Up and Down: Building Relationships
08:38 The Importance of Networking in Sales
15:44 The Power of the Mother Hive
20:15 Auditing Relationships for Personal Growth
24:58 Breaking Through Personal Barriers
25:11 Networking Strategies for Success
32:43 The Importance of Being Good at Your Job
38:54 Motherhood as a Career Amplifier
 

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC

Invitation: Join the upcoming Masterclass on Tuesday February 3rd @ 11am PDT/ 2pm EST: 
https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-webinar
 
Follow us online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/top5percentmethod/
Follow us on all podcasting channels. Comment + Watch the video on Spotify.
Accelerate your career in 2026. Explore the methods: https://www.top5percentmethod.com/
Apply now: https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-accelerator-waitlist
Join the high performance tribe in my FREE newsletter: https://www.top5method.com/
 
Chapters
00:00 Unleashing Your Voice: The Journey Begins
02:50 From Corporate Secret to Global Creator
05:36 Building Brand Authority in a Changing World
05:46 Podcast Intro  & Outro.mp4
 

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC

Follow us on all podcasting channels. Comment + Watch the video on Spotify.
Follow us online:
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/top5percentmethod/
Accelerate your career in 2026:  https://www.top5percentmethod.com/
Apply now: https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-accelerator-waitlist
Join the high performance tribe in my FREE newsletter: https://www.top5method.com
Sign-up for the upcoming masterclasses: https://www.top5percentmethod.com/career-webinar
 
Chapters
00:00 Kickoff to Career Acceleration
00:48 My promise to you
01:09 Get the Best of the East and the West
01:32 We are getting back on the saddle
 

All copyrights belong to @ Driving Impact LLC