Highly Effective Networking: Marion Siboni Of La Creme de la STEM On 5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Your conversation does not have to be strictly professional. You can cover a range of topics, including industry trends, must-attend conferences, favorite restaurants, upcoming vacations, or even family matters like kids. People are more likely to remember the fun weekend activity you suggested than your company pitch.
The art of networking is pivotal in today’s interconnected world. Establishing meaningful connections can accelerate career growth, foster collaborations, and create opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. Yet, the dynamics of networking are intricate, often requiring a nuanced blend of authenticity, strategy, and adaptability. And with the digital revolution, networking has transcended beyond face-to-face interactions to virtual platforms, expanding its scope and complexity. In this series, we would like to discuss the art and science behind effective networking. We are talking to seasoned professionals, career coaches, networking experts, and thought leaders who’ve mastered both traditional and online networking techniques. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Marion Siboni.
Marion Siboni is the founder and CEO of La Creme de la STEM ™, a private network for early-stage female founders in STEM offering a holistic support system that includes exclusive insights from exited entrepreneurs and connections to vetted investors. Over the last decade, Marion has excelled in pivotal business development roles at Techstars, MongoDB, Shift — AI unicorn — and Cisco. Her mastery in forging strategic partnerships earned her two Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards, and the Tech & Startup Award from the French-American Chamber of Commerce. Leveraging her extraordinary networking skills, Marion built a thriving community of 4000+ women in technology in 12 months through in-person panels, a month after moving from Paris to NYC. As a recognized startup mentor and public speaker — she recently collaborated with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Marion’s passion for connecting people and fostering impactful relationships continues to drive her mission and success.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My journey into the tech world began unexpectedly, sparked by my childhood passion for reading. As a confirmed bibliophile, my dream job would be one that surrounds me with books day in and day out. While preparing for my business school oral exams and reflecting on this desire, I came across an essay written by the National Library of France President Bruno Racine, “Google and The New World”, exploring the impact of digital transformation in the publishing industry. This book was my first exposure to the tech world, revealing the vast opportunities that technology offered. It was a revelation that set the course for my career.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
When I moved from Paris to NYC in September 2022, I was unfamiliar with the NY tech ecosystem and its opportunities. One month after landing in the US, and without any event production experience, I decided to launch a networking group to connect women in the tech industry. The first event attracted 20 women, and the second saw 75 attendees. Eager to enhance the value of these in-person events, I organized panels with female industry leaders to demystify tech trends such as blockchain and AI, collaborating with global players in these fields. Notable panels included “The Future of Work and Artificial Intelligence” with Microsoft, “Angel Investing” with Golden Seeds, and a VC/Startup Rooftop Party with Techstars.
By carefully selecting speakers and topics that resonated with the audience, I was able to attract significant interest and participation. Additionally, working with prestigious partners helped elevate the credibility and reach of those events. This strategic approach ensured that all initiatives were impactful and aligned with the needs of the community. Every event consistently sold out month after month and the community grew from 0 to 4000 in less than twelve months.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I attribute my success to three key character traits: resilience, authenticity, and strategic thinking.
Resilient:
Resilience has been a cornerstone of my career. My capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and adapt to new circumstances allowed me to thrive in a completely new environment. When I moved from France to the US, I had to reinvent my career across the tech industry. My persistence and flexibility kept me moving forward, ultimately leading me to a breakthrough in the venture capital field, one of the most desirable and competitive industries for professionals. Through determination, hard work and of course networking, I secured a Director position at Techstars, the world’s largest pre-seed investor.
Authenticity:
Authenticity has been a key factor in building strong, lasting relationships throughout my career. By being genuine and true to myself, I have been able to create meaningful connections with others, which in turn has opened doors to exclusive, high-profile events in the most stunning venues in New York City. One of the highlights of my journey was attending a prestigious panel event that brought together two remarkable women: Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State, and Oleksandra Matviichuk, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Being in the same room as these influential figures was an incredible experience and a testament to the power of authenticity in forging significant and impactful relationships.
Strategic Thinking:
Strategic thinking has been a driving force behind my ability to achieve significant growth and reach remarkable milestones. One of my proudest accomplishments is winning two Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards within just 1.5 years of partnership. This success was the recognition of my effort to expand the partnership between Shift, an AI startup, and Microsoft to 24 countries. I implemented a strategic framework based on four key pillars: sales alignment, partner enablement, channel marketing, and product integration. These growth plans not only expanded the geographic reach, but deepened relationships with 80+ senior executives and positioned the startup into a new level of partnerships for Microsoft, within top 30 partners globally.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How exactly do you define “Networking?” Is it just about meeting new people?
For many, networking means coming to a room with a specific goal and trying to achieve it. To me, networking and creating connections are synonyms. In other words, networking is about building authentic, powerful connections in a short amount of time. It is essential to focus on being genuinely interested in the person you are meeting rather than trying to be interesting yourself. True networking means connecting with people with conversations spanning a range of topics, from industry trends to coming vacation. This is what will leave a positive, lasting impression. Opportunistic relationships may work for a single transaction, but they don’t build a sustainable network.
In today’s digital age, how important is face-to-face networking, and how do you balance it with online networking?
In a post-pandemic world, we all crave IRL conversations — after all, human beings are social animals. I believe in-person networking is more important than ever. Therefore, I attend networking events once a week to stay visible in my industry, and encounter new people. I am also constantly broadening my network by discovering and joining new, unique communities.
To maintain and expand my network, I use LinkedIn and Twitter on a daily basis. Social media is an excellent tool for keeping up with others after meeting in-person, and maintaining casual connections. I engage with posts by liking and commenting, and I also use private messages for deeper conversations.
How do you maintain and nurture professional relationships over time, both in person and online, to ensure they remain fruitful and mutually beneficial?
Establishing strong foundations for professional relationships is very important. It is crucial to be respectful of everyone you meet during your career or at networking events, regardless of their company title. I always treat everyone equally by focusing on what drives them rather than their social status. I believe relationships don’t have to be mutually beneficial from the beginning; you never know what a connection might bring in the future, if anything. People are more likely to remember your personality over your job title, and this can add value to you at some point. Since the future is unpredictable, it’s vital to remain open and receptive.
How important is personal branding when it comes to successful networking, and how can individuals develop and maintain a strong personal brand both online and in person?
Personal branding helps you stand out and be valued. We all have unique skills, fascinating anecdotes and strong experiences to showcase — the key is learning how to own them and tell your story. Developing and maintaining a strong personal brand starts with defining your core values and your strengths. Along with self-reflection, the 360-feedback method is a fantastic tool: ask your family, friends, coworkers, and managers to identify your greatest talents and provide specific examples of situations where you excelled. Once you have articulated what you bring to the table, you can share your expertise and insights.
To establish your presence online, begin with the channel you are the most comfortable with, whether it is sharing videos on TikTok daily, posting on LinkedIn weekly, or writing a newsletter monthly. Whatever you choose, consistency is key to maintaining an engaged audience — and conform to the algorithms.
Maintaining your personal branding in-person can be done through industry conferences and meetups to connect with peers and leaders in your field, either as an attendee or a volunteer. Prepare a list of stories you can tell in the conversation. To craft compelling narrative, the Pixar Pitch is a storytelling framework that breaks down a story into six sentences:
- Once upon a time… — Introduces the context
- Every day… — Establishes the status quo
- One day… — Introduce the opportunity that spurred action
- Because of that… — Describes the consequences and actions taken as a result
- Because of that… — Continues to build on the chain of events
- Until finally… — Concludes with the resolution and how things have changed
What is your advice for young professionals who are just starting to build their network? How can they effectively reach out to and connect with experienced leaders in their field?
It is crucial to have a personal elevator pitch ready to go. If you end up attending a fair amount of networking events, you will find yourself introducing who you are many times. I recommend writing down a couple of lines highlighting your experience and what you are looking for. It doesn’t have to be too long or complex — what matters is that it flows naturally when you say it out loud and that you feel comfortable saying it. I created my own methodology using the following questions:
- Who are you — e.g. a student who just graduated from Columbia with a degree in Engineering.
- Where are you from — it helps people start the conversation.
- Your current occupation — think about what you do daily, whether it is a job, a personal project you are working on, or just what you like to do for fun.
- Your areas of expertise — this part is the most important as it shows what makes you unique.
- What you are the proudest of — time to brag about some key achievements.
- What you are looking for coming out of this event — e.g. career advice, connections in a specific field, etc.
Do you prioritize quality or quantity of connections? How do you determine when to invest more time in a particular relationship?
When I am going to in-person networking events, I tend to connect with as many people as possible — yet I make it a point to understand each person. I prioritize quantity in these settings because I carefully select the events where registrants are like-minded individuals, or belong to a specific crowd I am targeting — in my case, early-stage VCs and female entrepreneurs in STEM.
Effective networking involves recognizing and valuing individuals for who they are. I strongly believe that there is something to learn from everyone, regardless of their background or position. Every person can provide a unique perspective or insight that can be valuable.
What are your “5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline”?
1. Build a network before you need it
This approach lets you be yourself without any pressure, enabling you to engage in casual conversations about anything you like, whether it’s understanding an industry’s ecosystem or discussing the latest restaurant you want to try. When you eventually need something, you won’t seem opportunistic because you’ve already built a genuine connection. Keep your options open and stay receptive, as you never know what opportunities might arise.
This approach has made starting La Creme de la STEM ™ much easier. I am just a text away from answers to any question I have. Leveraging my already robust network for support has been effortless, and I am extremely grateful for all the connections I’ve made along the way.
2. Give before you get
I am a community leader at heart — my primary objective is to create and maintain an environment where members feel safe, engaged and supported. I built the communities I wished for when I started my career in the tech industry and when I decided to build a company. My main goal is to promote collaboration and connect like-minded individuals.
Fostering these meaningful connections and providing support positioned myself as a knowledgeable, experienced individual, leading people to seek my insights. As a result, I have become a sought-after speaker, receiving invitations to speak by esteemed organizations like the U.S. Department of Commerce or the French-American Chamber, discussing topics US expansion and networking. Additionally, I have participated in podcasts, been interviewed for online magazines in France and in the US, and judged pitch sessions.
3. Connect on personal matters
Your conversation does not have to be strictly professional. You can cover a range of topics, including industry trends, must-attend conferences, favorite restaurants, upcoming vacations, or even family matters like kids. People are more likely to remember the fun weekend activity you suggested than your company pitch.
When networking online, use LinkedIn profile details to find a personal connection, such as attending the same school or working in the same industry. Personalization is key — everyone wants to feel unique and not like they’re receiving a generic message sent to hundreds of others.
4. Always follow-up, but keep it short and sweet
Connecting on LinkedIn whenever you meet someone in a networking environment is rule #1. Some people might prefer other communication channels like Telegram or WhatsApp, so be mindful of asking what the best way to follow-up is. Once you have this information, make sure you send a message within a few days of the event.
I always use the following structure: “It was great meeting you at [location] for [name of the event] on [date]. Would love to keep in touch about [topic you connected on]. Enjoy [activity mentioned during your conversation].” This personalized approach will not only be appreciated but also help you remember the details of your connection even months or years later.
5. Be clear on your expectations
It’s crucial to have a specific request, like gaining insights about a particular industry, understanding the requirements for a type of job, or learning about market trends. Clear and focused inquiries make it easier for others to provide valuable help. Without a well-defined request, people may struggle to understand your needs and may be less inclined to invest their time in assisting you. Being precise in your requests not only shows respect for the other person’s time but also increases the likelihood of receiving useful and relevant information.
What role does diversity and inclusion play in your networking approach? How do you ensure that your network is inclusive and represents a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds?
As founder and CEO of La Creme de la STEM™, I prioritize building a network that represents a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds. I actively seek out diverse voices to ensure everyone feels valued. By fostering an environment where varied experiences are celebrated, I aim to empower all members of our community, whether they are female founders, investors, exited entrepreneurs or mentors.
Research from the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) provides compelling evidence that diversity is not only a moral imperative, but also a business advantage. In terms of how effectively companies turn a dollar of investment into a dollar of revenue, startups founded and co-founded by women are significantly better financial investments. For every dollar of funding, these startups generated 78 cents, while male-founded startups generated less than half that — just 31 cents. Despite that evidence, female founders received only 2% of total capital In 2022, according to Pitchbook Report.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I started my venture, La Creme de la STEM™, in early June with this exact goal in mind. Networking is a powerful tool that can bring both positivity and productivity to those who know how to harness it. My mission is to create a strong support system for early-stage female founders in science and technology. By fostering a network where these women can access resources, and support each other, I aim to empower them to achieve their full potential and drive innovation in their fields, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and dynamic world.
How can our readers further follow you online?
They can follow me and my company on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the newsletter when visiting La Creme de la STEM ™ website.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Photo credit: Alice Prenat for Portrait Madame
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
