As a child, Margaret Reynolds always knew her dream job was to work in gift wrap at Hallmark Cards. With a little luck and lots of planning, that wish eventually came true.
Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, Margaret learned early that excellence matters as Husker football was practically a way of life. That mindset stayed with her throughout life and leadership. Later, she married Rick Reynolds, son of Nebraska legend “Mr. Touchdown” Bobby Reynolds, and together they built a life centered around faith, family, resilience, and growth.
After graduating with a degree in Business and Marketing, Margaret and Rick moved to Kansas City to begin building their future together. They were blessed with three children. Two here on earth and one in heaven. A journey that has shaped her far more deeply than any professional title ever could.
Her professional career became focused on one central question: “Why do some businesses grow and others that look like them do not?”
That curiosity became the foundation for her work as a leader, strategist, coach, and mentor.
Margaret describes herself as “a growth catalyst at heart” and has developed a framework for defining growth opportunities, understanding what gets in the way, and helping organizations accelerate growth.
For Margaret, joining Acumen was a natural fit.
Coaching and mentoring have been part of both her career and her DNA for as long as she can remember. Throughout her journey, she has counseled owners, founders, CEOs, and board members while also facilitating peer advisory roundtables and mentoring entrepreneurs through various organizations.
Margaret believes Acumen aligns closely with her values and gives her the rewarding opportunity to work alongside high-performing business leaders who are curious and growth-oriented.
As Margaret works with business leaders, two themes consistently rise to the surface.
The first is the power of people who are engaged and growth-minded. She believes organizations can outperform other like-type businesses when they establish cultures that inspire those attributes.
“CEO’s create strategy, but they don’t implement it by themselves.”
The second is technology. Margaret believes none of us can avoid engaging with it, and leaders who learn to leverage it appropriately can advance their businesses in new and creative ways.
Many of Margaret’s leadership lessons came while raising her sons and traveling across the country through years of competitive sports. Those experiences strengthened her belief that the principles that work for sports teams also work for organizational teams and peer advisory groups.
One of the best questions Margaret was ever asked came from her youngest son after he graduated college:
“What are you going to do now, Mom?”
After years spent supporting her boys and their activities, Margaret decided to rekindle her childhood passion for horseback riding.
Today, she participates in endurance riding events ranging from 25 to 75 miles across challenging terrain.
She has also traveled extensively around the world on horseback with close friends through India, Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and throughout Europe.
Margaret and Rick are blessed with children, grandchildren, lifelong friendships, two dogs, and a shared love of reading and travel.
Alongside their family life, they also help lead a nonprofit dedicated to providing emotional encouragement to parents who have lost a child of any age for any reason.
Today, Margaret feels most fulfilled helping leaders navigate growth, challenge, and change with wisdom, encouragement, and perspective while reminding them they do not have to lead alone.
