Alumna Jean Moe on Defining Your Vision

Alumna Jean Moe on Defining Your Vision

George Mason University alumna Jean Moe, Business '87, has been described as “the first Korean female CEO of global companies in Korea” that broke the glass ceiling. She has worked at multinational companies for over 30 years, and mentored more than 2,000 professional women not only in Korea but also in Asia. We asked her what she's learned along the way, and what she is planning to do next.

Tell us about your career journey.

I graduated with an accounting degree from George Mason University in 1987. Since then I have been working for about 30 years in the FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector in Korea, Japan, and the US, and have served in several CEO and board positions. I started my career at Proctor and Gamble, Korea. My latest position was CEO of Choroc Maeul, an organic grocery owned by the Daesang group. Before that, I was CEO of Danone Pulmuone.

One thing that people are impressed with is not so much of the variety of work that I did or executive positions that I held, but the fact that I have three boys. I get questions all the time about how I balance everything.

What is your advice for Mason alumni?

How do you feel happiness in your life? In my view, figuring out what to do in your life is important. To have a vision is important because when you struggle with something, you can solve that easily when you have your vision. Also, if you are not able to conduct your vision on yourself, you need support to do that. Sometimes, if you have a deep conversation with your family, it helps to find your vision.

What career advice would you give to our students who are just starting or people in mid-career?

First you need to figure out what you want to do from both personal and career perspectives. I try to see myself 3-5 years down the road and start from there. Your present is based on your perspectives on your future. Then, you figure out your road map. You need the right support group. That is what helped me. Oftentimes you get clarity when you have deep conversations with your family and get their buy-in. In the process, your vision becomes clear, and you get allies.

Sharing and allocating responsibilities is also important. Something I feel missing in Korea is that shared commitment, so that you do not have to bear all the responsibilities for everything. Oftentimes, bearing everything alone does not work. This is true as well for people in leadership positions. But in Korea, there are not many role models for female leaders.

Back in the days when you were at Mason, what did you get out of your experience? Any memorable moments?

At that time, Mason was a small college. My eyes opened through a lot of debates and conversations that I had in classrooms. It was so amazing to discover the possibility of a horizontal organizational life outside of the vertical organizational life, and I became more open-minded.

Anything more you want to say to our alumni?

In the end, you will benefit from your major. Even if you find your interests differ from your major, your major will help you in the future.

What does the future hold for you?

I am now preparing for a second life in the US. Again, I want to think in the long term. Where do I see myself three years? I want to start my own consulting company in digital health. I am challenging myself by taking courses at Columbia University in digital health, so that I can learn more about this digital healthcare opportunity.