Getting Intimate With Sonja Winther

Sonja, thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for this section. Could you tell us a bit about your personal journey? How did you go from where you started to lead a French lingerie brand in the American market?
I grew up in a suburb of Chicago, the middle of 3 daughters, to immigrant parents from Norway and Denmark. I traveled regularly to Scandinavia as a child, and later to Europe, which led me to pursue French and Marketing degrees in the US and France. After completing an internship in Paris and graduating with an MBA, I moved to New York City to work at L'Oreal, and ultimately Calvin Klein Underwear, where a headhunter contacted me to head the US subsidiary of the Chantelle Group - 25 years later; my projects still allow me to grow and feel like an entrepreneur.

Was there a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path or pushed you to take on such a significant leadership role?
Actually yes. I had been both exposed to and the victim of enough #metoo issues on the one hand, and an unethical approach to sales on the other. I wanted to work in an entrepreneurial environment and create a culture that had more integrity and gave me a sense of contributions to society in some small way.

As a woman leading a brand in a highly competitive market, what personal values ​​do you hold dear, and how do you incorporate them into your leadership style?
The 4 core values ​​​​​​of our company suit me very well: Active Listening, Team/Collaboration, Excellence, and Entrepreneurship. My Scandinavian roots taught me humility and strength. As for leadership style, I identify with 'servant leader', where I strive to learn as much as I can from the 'front lines' in an attempt to be in sync with the consumer end and align the 'back end'.

How do you balance the distinctly French heritage of your brand with the expectations and tastes of the American market?
I see it as a balance that is never fully achieved and a bit of a love affair that is rooted in the history of our two countries. The most symbolic representation is the Statue of Liberty, a gift to a burgeoning nation that had inspired French thought leaders and craftsmen. Today, it symbolizes the core of the American dream yet its humble beginnings were the embodiment of French engineering, design and know-how. Day to day, I try to stay focused on the things that inspire each culture in the other's, and take stock of how there's a long history of influence that crosses the ocean in both directions.

Are there women either public figures or people in your life--who have influenced your approach to leadership or your perception of beauty and femininity?
There are too many to name, so it is enough to say that I find inspiration in my family, close fends, colleagues, phenomenal women across all domains...; all have helped inspire me towards continuous improvement and to define/redefine mu perceptions.

How do you view the concept of femininity, and does that definition shape the way you lead your brand?
As mentioned, my parents were from Norway and Denmark, and each of them either exhibited or spoke to a feminine ideal which was strong, yet vulnerable, and above all, natural. A woman's beauty came as much from the inside as from the outside.
For me, the Chantelle brand has always represented what is possible so I apply that way of thinking to my work at Chantelle.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far, and how did it shape you as a person?
Well, I once made myself sick, losing my sense of taste, as the result of a boss who was prioritizing short-term goals over a longer-term strategy.
What I learned was that the best, and hardest, thing to do before entertaining leaving a company is to compare the situation in order to 'unlock' other possibilities.

A decision do you regret?
Too often I prioritized urgencies' at work over personal priorities, either my own or family.Running a business in the lingerie industry often involves addressing sensitive topics around body image and confidence.

How do you approach these conversations, both in marketing and in your leadership?
I am lucky to work in an industry where I learn verbal and non-verbal communication skills from bra filters, who help women remove limiting thoughts in order to achieve what is possible in the multiple facets of their lives.

Could you share a personal achievement that means a lot to you, even if it might not show up on your professional resume?
Evolving into a parent of two children one boy, one girl-who have taught me as much about myself as I would hope to have imparted on them. I guess you could call it the 'human evolution' degree.

With such a demanding role, how do you find balance? Are there rituals, hobbies, or moments in your day that help you recharge?
Walking, biking, swimming, therapeutic massages, travelling, and being with close friends/family.

If you could go back and give advice to your younger self, what would you say?
Understand the power of your inner voice.

How would you define success- -not as a manager, but as a woman?
Win Win.

What is your favorite motto?
No Crisis. No Opportunity.The world needs more.Compassion/Love.

SNAPCHAT
Describe yourself in three words.
Servant. Leader. Mother.

A book or movie that changed your perspective?
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

One thing you always carry with you?
Lip Balm

Pet lover? Say more
Cats, Cats, Cats... though dogs are sometimes close seconds

Your go-to confidence booster on a difficult day?
Getting a massage.

What's one item of lingerie every woman should own?
A black semi-sheer bra.