Monroe, previously CMO, stepped into the CEO role in May to oversee operations for all of Nat Geo’s domestic channels. She and her team continue to work on what they call “smartertainment” programming (think “Brain Games,” engaging yet educational) as well as big events like the movie “Killing Jesus.” Her personal-professional life balance strategy is to accept that you may only be able to give 80% of yourself to everything. “So you just need to hope that your 80% is better than most people’s 110%! Also, learn to say no,” she advises.

 How do you define a successful career?

A successful career is one that allows you to spend your days immersed in something you feel passionate about; surrounded by people you enjoy, value, and can learn from.  A successful career is one that is marked by the opportunity for continuous growth and challenge …One that enables you to continuously take on new challenges that scare you, push you outside your comfort zone and allow you to exercises new muscles.  Nothing more energizing than that!

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

As soon as someone cracks the code on this, please have them call me!  In the meantime, I’ve learned to embrace what I call the “80 % solution.”  That is, accept that you may only be able to give 80% of yourself to everything so you just need to hope that your 80% is better than most people’s 110%!   Also, learn to say no.  It’s taken me years to understand that not only am I not able to say yes to everything, but I also don’t have to.  Spend your time on the things that will have the most impact whether personally or professionally.  Don’t spread yourself too thin—no one wins.

When not in the office, where are we most likely to find you?

On the sidelines of either the lacrosse or soccer field cheering on my 9-year-old son, Miles; watching “Project Runway” with my fashion design-obsessed 8-year-old daughter Lola;  enjoying date night with my amazing husband Mike; or donating my time and resources to the Allergy and Immunology practice at Children’s Hospital in DC, where my son goes for his multiple, life-threatening food allergies.

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