LEADing the Way: Nathalie Sonne, Chief Innovation Officer

Our Chief Innovation Officer unveils the unique synergy between sports, health, and technology that powers LEAD's work.

At our core, we're more than our investments. LEAD is a group of passionate people driven by a shared belief: assisting entrepreneurs evolve to where they need to be. We know that those behind every cutting-edge innovation and world-altering idea are those who dare to lead the way.

We truly embrace the strength of connection, so we want the world to know our leadership team. That’s why each installment in our Q&A series, LEADing the Way, showcases how the authentic, forward-thinking individuals who make up our team coexist to act on LEAD’s selfless goals and vision.

Visionary innovator Nathalie Sonne brings a wealth of experience to her role in LEAD's innovation arm. As a new mother and industry leader, she exemplifies the delicate balance between professional excellence and personal fulfillment, shattering stereotypes and inspiring a new generation of innovators. In this LEADing the Way feature, Nathalie unveils the unique synergy between sports, health, and technology that powers LEAD's work.

Offering a glimpse into her evolving role, Nathalie shares her passion for creating innovations that tangibly improve lives and reveals her strategies for maintaining peak performance in a high-stakes environment. From the importance of rigorous exercise and nutrition to the power of cultivating meaningful relationships, her insights provide a roadmap for thriving in both personal and professional spheres. Dive into the mind of a multifaceted leader who's reshaping the landscape of sports and health tech while never losing sight of what truly matters.

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Q: Why is LEAD well-positioned to make an impact through its innovation arm?

A: At LEAD, we’re uniquely positioned to make an impact because of our holistic approach to innovation paired with our distinct product offering. We sit at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, strategic investments, and a global network of experts in both sports and health. Our deep understanding of these industries allows us to identify emerging trends, adapt quickly, and deliver solutions that directly address real-world challenges. We are not "consultants to consult" – we stay true to our core expertise to deliver prompt, meaningful and in-depth results. So whether you're looking for support in sourcing and vetting deal flow and/or technology, understanding markets and future competition, wanting to build innovation initiatives (CVC's, accelerator programs etc.), or understanding equity endorsement opportunities for yourself or your athlete clients - all in the world of sports and health tech – we are likely the perfect partner for you.

Q: How does the innovation arm of LEAD operate, and who can benefit most from getting involved?

A: Any corporation, team or entity that wants to drive innovation through Sports and Health tech (investing or not), but does not have the internal resources or expertise, can benefit from engaging with us. If you’re just getting started, wanting to build a team or not, or aren’t satisfied with the status quo of your own innovation initiatives, we can most probably help. We can be your extended investment team resource through a retainer model, or we put together a tailored, limited project depending on your needs. Whatever it is, we usually pull in resources from across our corporation, especially the investment unit, to deliver on insights, but we also call on our entire network of mentors, entrepreneurs and investors to pull in additional expertise if necessary.

Q: Can you take us through what a day in your life looks like at LEAD?

A: Just like my colleagues have said it before – there is no typical day at LEAD, and yes, that is the actual beauty of it. Having been with LEAD for a whooping 7.5 years now, my work days have significantly changed though when becoming a mother. I used to travel a lot, attended events all over the world and spent a lot of energy on building relationships. Now fierce time management, laser focus, saying “no” when necessary and maximum flexibility are key to my days.

I dedicate many of my afternoons to my toddler yet at the same time have to make time for mostly U.S. based conversations, so 10PM calls are no rare occasion. What has become rare though is taking time for lunch meetings; but I keep trying to make room to meet people as much as I can, as I know not only do potential business opportunities come from that, but also does my personal motivation and wellbeing depend on nurturing relationships and drawing inspiration from what all these fantastic people around me are working on and thinking about.

Q: What excites you about being a part of a company improving lives in sports and health?

A: The most exciting aspect of being a part of LEAD is the direct impact we can and do have on people's lives. Whether it's helping an athlete optimize their performance through cutting-edge tech or improving public health through innovations in wearable technology, it’s incredibly rewarding to see how our work positively affects individuals and communities. Sports and health are integral to well-being and happiness, and knowing that we're driving innovations that make people healthier, stronger, and more connected to their goals is a powerful motivator. Additionally, the pace of technological advancement in these fields is exhilarating and I've always loved the fact that there is never a moment of stand-still at LEAD.

Q: What is the most impactful thing you do to maintain your health and well-being?

A: From how I’ve described my day to day, it's probably become clear that maintaining a health and well-being routine is a must-do focus for me. I am striving to be the best version of myself, not only for myself, but more importantly for my family; I do not want to take stress out on a 2-year old that will not be able to put it into context.

So what do I do? Each week I schedule time for workouts (big fan of yoga, pilates, barre and HIIT), and I also try to implement as much movement as possible into my days, e.g. by cycling anywhere and everywhere, climbing playgrounds and happily living on a fifth floor with no elevator. Nutrition is key, and while there is always room for improvement, I'm mostly happy with my daily choices. I also put more and more focus on my sleep hygiene knowing that this is probably the most important puzzle piece here.

While this constitutes my health and well-being “strategy”, it would be a house of cards if I didn’t allocate time to spend with family and friends. Sometimes there’s only enough time for a voice message exchange, sometimes it’s an entire weekend spent together – the crucial bit for me is to take time to connect and check on the people I care about. It is such a cliché, but it’s true – healthy and strong relationships are what keep us grounded, balanced, as well as safe and happy in this crazy fast-paced world of today.