Topline E87: Balancing Compliance, Culture, and Business Growth with Roxanne Bras Petraeus, CEO of Ethena
Dec 8, 2024
Roxanne Bras Petraeus, CEO and co-founder of Ethena, shares her incredible journey from military officer to startup leader. She reveals Ethena's strategy that landed clients like Figma and Netflix. The conversation dives into the intricate balance of compliance and workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of effective DEI initiatives. Roxanne discusses the challenges of ensuring fair hiring practices and training that fosters open dialogue and self-reflection. Her insights highlight the ever-evolving dynamics of modern workplaces and the role of compliance in shaping organizational behavior.
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Early Client Acquisition
- Roxanne Bras Petraeus's second employee at Ethena suggested focusing on acquiring well-known clients early on.
- This strategy, combined with press coverage, led to securing major clients like Figma, Netflix, and Zendesk in year one.
Centralized Compliance
- Ethena's compliance training platform targets entire organizations, not specific teams, due to the centralized nature of compliance.
- Companies use compliance to demonstrate adherence to regulations and avoid liability.
Leading Through Uncertainty
- Over-communicate during times of uncertainty or stress.
- Roxanne Bras Petraeus suggests weekly all-hands meetings to address employee concerns and build trust.
