Jennifer Fondrevay 
When Unilever announced its acquisition of Dr. Squatch, the viral men’s grooming brand beloved by Gen Z, it wasn’t just buying soap—it was buying a cultural movement. Known for cheeky campaigns (remember Sydney Sweeney as the “Body Wash Genie”?) and unapologetically authentic messaging, Dr. Squatch has built a loyal following by turning hygiene into self-expression. … Read more
Jennifer and Master Your Merger host, Klint Kendrick, unpack a critical but often overlooked challenge in mergers and acquisitions: employee identity loss. You’ll learn why culture clashes and change resistance aren’t just about poor communication but about how people grieve the loss of their roles, titles, and professional identities. This episode explores how leaders can … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Jennifer draws on her experience as a marketing executive during three multi-billion-dollar acquisitions, Jennifer sheds light on the emotional and cultural dynamics that can make or break a successful deal.
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 … Read more
Host Kelsey Thomas, chats with Jennifer Fondrevay, Human Capital Advisor. Jennifer speaks to the importance of the human capital element in M&A as well as her recent article on the superpowers of women in M&A.
