Author: Jennifer Fondrevay

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Forbes Article: What Buffett, Schwab, And The Vatican Teach Us About Successions

Succession planning isn’t just about choosing the next leader—it’s about preserving trust, culture, and continuity. In her latest Forbes piece, Jennifer J. Fondrevay explores three dramatically different transitions: Warren Buffett’s methodical handoff at Berkshire Hathaway, Klaus Schwab’s abrupt exit from the World Economic Forum, and the Vatican’s centuries-old conclave.


Each story offers a masterclass (or cautionary tale) in how authority is transferred, culture is preserved, and stakeholders are managed. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or strategist, these lessons are essential reading for anyone shaping the future of an organization.


Dive into the article to discover how to build a succession plan that honors legacy while empowering the next chapter.

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Podcast: Why Most Mergers Fail and What Leaders Miss About People

Pontefract Podcast with Jennifer Fondrevay

In the rush of mergers and acquisitions, financial projections often take center stage while the human element is overlooked. Jennifer Fondrevay argues that this is where businesses falter.

In this episode of Leadership NOW with Dan Pontefract, Jennifer dives into the hidden pitfalls of post-merger integration, the overconfidence that derails deals, and the often-underestimated importance of culture allies and pre-mortems in ensuring a smooth transition.

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Forbes Article: Forbes Power Breakfast – Oana Ijdelea (Ijdelea & Associates) and Jennifer J. Fondrevay (Day1 Ready™), about the M&A market, female leadership and the human element in business

Oana Ijdelea, Managing Partner of Ijdelea & Associates and Jennifer Fondervay, Founder of Day1 Ready™, told us during the 
Forbes Power Breakfast event what their vision is regarding adapting to uncertain times, the role of the human side in business, but also what the secrets of female leadership are.

Click here to read the full article in Forbes where Jennifer and Oana discuss Jennifer’s Forbes article, “Women Possess a Secret Weapon for Merger and Acquisition Success” and learn about the 5 superpowers women bring to the table.

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Forbes Article: Key Lessons From Microsoft’s Skype Experiment About Integration

In this article, Jennifer J. Fondrevay unpacks the strategic missteps behind Microsoft’s $8.5B Skype acquisition and its eventual sunset in 2025. The article challenges the “preservation mindset” often favored in M&A, revealing how delayed integration can lead to strategic ambiguity, talent drain, and missed market opportunities. By contrasting Skype’s fate with the success of Microsoft Teams and LinkedIn, Fondrevay offers a compelling case for early, decisive integration in tech acquisitions. A must-read for leaders navigating the delicate dance between disruption and preservation. Read the full article.

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Podcast: What CEO’s Forget During Mergers

Jennifer sits down with David Lovejoy to talk about how she supports organizations in building people-first strategies that drive successful integrations.

In this episode, they discussed:

✅ Why the emotional toll of M&A is often underestimated—and how grief, identity loss, and ambiguity impact performance.

✅ How middle managers are the make-or-break force in post-deal success and why they need to be trained, not just informed.

✅ The power of rituals, empathy, and even music in helping teams process change and move forward with clarity and trust.

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Forbes Article: Avoid An M&A Deal ‘Lame Duck’ Period After Acquisition

To be a ‘lame duck’ is to lose power. Or so the thinking goes. Popularized in politics, the term lame duck refers to an elected official still in office who will soon be succeeded. The official typically experiences diminished influence and authority as they await their successor’s assumption of power. President Joe Biden’s extended lame duck period since withdrawing from the presidential election, is a perfect example of a leader appearing less effective at the end of his term as the public focuses on the newcomer.

Click here to read the full article in Forbes, where Jennifer talks about how ineffective leadership during a transition can undermine M&A deal success. She outlines the three leadership behaviors that can hinder post-deal results, and three strategies for being an effective leader during the transition.

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Podcast: Keeping Culture through M&A

Jennifer shares her journey and expertise on maintaining company culture during mergers and acquisitions. Learn why the people strategy is crucial and how leaders can ensure a successful transition. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

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