The Executive Presence Skills for Professionals to Be Seen and Promoted Authentically with Jill Avey
The Diary of a CFO with Wassia KamonDecember 18, 202500:36:58

The Executive Presence Skills for Professionals to Be Seen and Promoted Authentically with Jill Avey

In this episode of The Diary of a CFO, host Wassia Kamon, CPA, CMA, MBA, welcomes Jill Avey, Founder of SisterSmart® and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC). Jill is an Ivy League MBA graduate and Leadership Mentor, specializing in helping ambitious women navigate the path to the C-suite. With over 25 years of corporate executive experience, Jill now works with high-achieving women to help them break through the “Stuck VP” phase and step into executive roles with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

Jill shares her insights on executive presence, why women often feel invisible in leadership roles, and how they can strategically build their influence to advance in their careers. Through her Signature 7-Step Passport to Promotion™ Framework, Jill combines neuroscience-based leadership strategies with real-world experience to help clients secure VP and C-suite roles, often within just months.

In this conversation, Jill discusses the key aspects of executive presence, how women can balance confidence without burnout, and the steps necessary to go from feeling "stuck" to "unstoppable."

💡 Key Takeaways
Executive Presence Demystified: Jill explains how executive presence is a combination of appearance, behavior, and how we connect with others. It’s not just about personality, it's about leadership traits that can be cultivated.
Overcoming Gendered Leadership Expectations: Jill addresses the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and how to navigate feedback like "be more strategic" or "need more executive presence" to break through to the next level.
Building Confidence Without Burnout: Jill shares her advice for women to lead with authenticity, build resilience, and confidently advocate for themselves without sacrificing their well-being.
The 7-Step Passport to Promotion™ Framework: Jill’s signature framework outlines the practical steps for rising through the ranks, including self-leadership, brain-based communication, and intentional career planning.
Visibility and Influence: Jill emphasizes the importance of visibility in career advancement and offers actionable strategies for increasing your presence and influence within your organization.

🗣️ Noteworthy Quotes
"You’re not broken. You’re just in a system that wasn’t designed for women leaders." – Jill Avey
"Executive presence is how I operate, how I connect with others, and how I present myself." – Jill Avey
"It’s not about fitting into a mold; it’s about being authentic and showing up as your true self." – Jill Avey
"You are the CEO of your own career. Don’t wait for others to manage your growth." – Jill Avey

⏱️ Key Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
01:16 – What is executive presence? Jill’s model for understanding and building it
07:50 – The challenges women face in leadership roles and how to overcome them
10:35 – How to balance confidence with warmth and authenticity in leadership
13:25 – Preparing for high-stakes meetings: Strategies for executive success
15:36 – The power of listening and how it enhances your leadership presence
23:10 – Key obstacles keeping leaders stuck at the director level and how to break through
32:07 – How visibility, communication, and executive presence can advance your career
35:45 - how to start executive training with Jill Avey

👉 If becoming a CFO is in your 5-year plan, get your free CFO Readiness Scorecard here: http://thecfo.scoreapp.com

📬 Get Involved
Have a question or topic suggestion?
Email: Ask@thediaryofacfo.com

🔗 Connect with Guest Jill Avey
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillavey/
SisterSmart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sistersmart-women%E2%80%99s-leadership-workshops/

🔗 Connect with Host Wassia Kamon on
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wassiakamon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wassiakamon/

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