Power Luncheon | Overcoming the “Broken Rung”: Building Experience Capital for Career Momentum

Despite earning more degrees than men, women continue to hit a “broken rung” at the very first step up to management—a persistent gap that hinders advancement throughout their careers. Drawing from McKinsey’s groundbreaking research and insights from The Broken Rung, Audrey Lucas will unpack why this critical advancement gap exists and, more importantly, how to overcome it.

The key to sustained career momentum is intentionally building your “experience capital.” Audrey will share practical insights on how to strategically navigate career moves, cultivate influential networks, and secure the high-impact leadership opportunities that accelerate growth. You will learn how to actively gain the experiences that boost earning potential and unlock closed doors.

Whether you are early in your career, navigating a transition, or already leading at the executive level, you will leave this session with actionable strategies to take ownership of your next chapter.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the true impact of the “broken rung” on the leadership pipeline.
• Leverage “experience capital” to drive long-term career growth and earning potential.
• Identify the specific roles, relationships, and skills that generate career momentum.
• Expand your sphere of influence and readiness for leadership opportunities.
• Design an intentional, personalized roadmap for your career advancement.

Audrey Lucas is a Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company and the Chief Financial Officer for North America. Over more than two decades with the firm, she has served as a strategic advisor to leading global organizations across the retail, consumer, healthcare, and industrial sectors—guiding them through complex operating model transformations, evolving customer expectations, and AI integration.

Previously, Audrey was the Managing Partner of McKinsey’s Minneapolis office and led the firm’s Global Learning & Development function, where she oversaw professional development and capability-building programs worldwide.

Audrey is deeply committed to regional vitality and economic development in Minnesota. She is a founding member of the MBOLD and MedTech 3.0 coalitions and serves on the boards of GreaterMSP, the Guthrie Theater, and the Breck School.

She holds an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. from Northwestern University.

Brandi Powell is an Emmy Award-winning journalist. She works as a TV news anchor at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News. Throughout her distinguished career, she has earned recognition for excellence in journalism, breaking news coverage, long-form reporting, and thoughtful conversations that have advanced understanding across our communities.

Beyond the newsroom, Brandi is a dedicated volunteer and community leader, serving as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists; Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated; and The Links, Incorporated.

Brandi earned a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She has worked and studied abroad. She was a McNair Scholar.

Brandi and her husband are the proud parents of three children and are deeply committed to strengthening the communities they serve.

Thank You To Our Sponsor:

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