She Did What?! Soraya Bagheri, Head of Legal, VP Integration, Punchbowl News

This is a platform to share the radical pivots, risks, self-evaluations and reflections of people I admire. We dig into the moments that led the people in their lives to go, “She Did What?!” and ultimately, to their personal or professional metamorphosis.

Soraya Bagheri is the former chief operating officer and co-founder of Electo Analytics, a leading public affairs data company. As many of us read in the New York Times last week, Electo Analytics was acquired by Punchbowl News, Washington’s leading source for congressional news. In her new role with the media startup, Soraya  serves as the head of legal and the vice president of product integration at Punchbowl News. Soraya is a first generation graduate, with two law degrees and experience working with global law firms, international organizations and the United Nations at the grassroots level across four continents. Prior to her legal career, Soraya trained as an educator focused on social and economic development programs. Using her passion for technology, combined with her education and law background, Soraya and her husband founded Electo Analytics in 2019. Soraya scaled Electo Analytics nationwide to meet the needs of its rapidly growing user base.

In this article of She Did What?! Soraya shares more about her remarkable journey, how she finds the courage to take leaps of faith and how she views growth as an endless staircase. It goes without saying that Soraya has accomplished very impressive things at a young age. I was curious about her decision to become an entrepreneur so I I started by asking Soraya to share her perspective on this pivotal decision. She shares,

In my journey as an entrepreneur, I've embraced numerous leaps of faith. Each decision stemmed from a blend of circumstance and courage, a quality that's both vital and challenging to muster. These choices weren't just about seizing opportunities; they reflected my commitment to taking bold steps in both my career and personal life.

I appreciate how Soraya holds space for opposite things to come together to create something great. Circumstance and Courage. She notes how they are both vital and challenging and it requires a lot of prep, hard work but then being willing to take the leap when the right opportunity comes. There’s no point in running right up to the ledge if you aren’t going to try to fly when you reach it.

Soraya has a lot on her plate. As the head of legal and the vice president of product integration for a growing media brand, she manages a lot. In addition, she is a new mom and currently navigating the waters of new parenthood. With all of this going on I was curious about her process that she uses every year or every few years to take stock of where she is, where she wants to head and to make a plan to get there. She reflects,

Balancing the roles of a business leader and a new mother, finding time for in-depth reflection is a challenge. However, my husband, who is also my co-founder at Electo, and I dedicate bi-annual "sessions" to evaluate our progress and strategize our moves as business leaders and as a unit. These discussions, rich with both ambition and humility, have become more than just self-reflection; they're a deep dive into personal growth and learning, especially poignant in my new journey as a mother.

One thing I appreciate about this is how this is a joint effort between her and her husband who is also the co-founder of Electo. They recognize that their lives are intertwined together and that sensibly it is important to stay holistically aligned. As strivers and achievers we know that we can’t go at it all alone and so it’s strategic and savvy to rely on a trusted person, a trusted adviser to self-reflect and plan for the future. As Soraya told me, she recently became a mother! We are so glad for her on this important journey. But we also recognize that integrating motherhood into the rhythms of our life can necessitate a restructuring of how we did things before. I was curious how Soraya’s growth process has evolved, not only recently but over the years.  She shared,

I visualize growth as an endless staircase. Over the years, there have been strides and stumbles, but the ascent continues. Staying motivated for growth means constantly setting new, challenging goals. Comfort in achievement is a pitfall; I've learned to continuously redefine my goals. Growth often manifests in unexpected forms, and adapting to these surprises has been a pivotal part of my journey.

This was the first time I had heard this visualization of growth as a staircase. I admire how the mindset is one of not only continued hard work and striving but also of continual ascent. She is continuing to rise, even when the muscles are tired Soraya has the perseverance to continue to climb the ladder. This is a great example of how in our professional lives  resilience and endurance building wins out time and again over sprinting and trying to get somewhere as fast as you can.

To end our time together Soraya shared with me her ‘North Star’ for her growth process as well as gave our readers some advice if any of you are facing a foundational change. She shares:

North Star in Growth:

My North Star through all phases of growth and reinvention has been the vibrant community I've been able to build and be a part of. This network of brilliant minds and hearts doesn't just surround me; it's an integral part of my identity and growth. They inspire, challenge, and support me in ways that continually fuel my journey.

Advice on Foundational Change:

For those thinking of taking on a significant change, remember you're not alone. Seek out those who've navigated similar paths, learn from them, and brace for constructive criticism. Embracing change is as much about seeking guidance as it is about internal resolve. Listen, learn, and leap with confidence and clarity.

Soraya  has truly had a remarkable journey and it’s clear that embracing change, taking the leap and a continuous process of self reflection and evaluations has been critical to helping her get where she is today. Thank you Soraya for sharing your journey with us.

Have any feedback or ideas for what you’d like to see included on this platform? Reach out to me on LinkedIn.

Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram

Ashley’s LinkedIn and Instagram

Soraya’s LinkedIn