The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast 95. Leading with Grace: Vaneli Martinov on Mastering Chaos and Building Legacy
What does it take to run 500 events across 16 weeks and still make it home for bedtime stories? In this powerhouse episode, Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with Vaneli Martinov, Executive Vice President of Operations for the world-renowned Wellington International.
Vaneli opens up about the reality behind high-performance leadership—juggling relentless operations, motherhood, and building a career from the ground up. From her early days as an intern at the most expensive golf club in the world to project-managing $200M developments, her story is a masterclass in grit, grace, and grounded leadership.
You’ll learn how she balances chaos with calm, leads massive teams with empathy, and why being the "swan on the surface, but paddling like hell underneath" is one of her greatest strengths.
Timestamps:
00:00 – The Swan Mentality: Grace above, chaos below
01:10 – Meet Vaneli Martinov
03:00 – Managing 500 events in 16 weeks
05:45 – Operational teardown + seasonal rebuilds
07:00 – Balancing career, marriage & motherhood
08:45 – Living in fight-or-flight: Thriving in chaos
10:00 – Hustling her way from intern to executive
14:45 – Saying yes before you’re ready
17:00 – Early career lessons in elite service & proactivity
21:00 – Building trust through “nothing is beneath me” leadership
23:00 – Predictive thinking vs reactive firefighting
26:00 – Scaling up from operations grunt to strategic executive
29:00 – 80–100 hour weeks: Was it worth it?
31:00 – Redefining hustle with purpose and family in mind
35:00 – The truth about toxic relationships and healthy ambition
38:00 – The hidden challenges of being a woman in male-dominated leadership
44:30 – How Vaneli leads with feminine strength and authenticity
48:00 – Modeling the right leadership style through lived experience
52:00 – Networking with purpose vs performative connection
Key Takeaways & Resources:
1. Say Yes Before You’re Ready
Vaneli’s career is built on courageous action—even when she didn’t feel ready. She leaned into the unknown and learned through doing.
2. Leadership Is Earned Through Action
She models respect by showing up in the trenches. From hauling trash to handling investors, no job is beneath her—and that credibility compounds.
3. Early Career: Hustle + Humility Wins
What set her apart wasn’t grades—it was drive. Her advice to young professionals? Show up curious, proactive, and willing to do anything.
4. Learn to Anticipate, Not Just React
Whether managing elite clientele or massive operations, success lies in predicting needs and solving problems before they arise.
5. Redefining Feminine Leadership
Vaneli rejected the “bulldog boss” stereotype and leaned into emotional intelligence, empathy, and warmth—without sacrificing strength.
6. Balance Isn’t Static—It’s Intentional
As a wife, mother, and exec, she’s constantly pivoting. Her north star? Show up with positivity, and choose grace over perfection.
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Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.