Women To Watch: Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani With Wendy Beck

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- In this seaworthy edition of "Women To Watch," Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani introduces us to Wendy Beck, the Chief Financial Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Wendy has a big job and a big family. Tara spent the day with Wendy figuring out how she does it and trying to stow away, but that's a whole other story!

Wendy Beck is Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Norwegian Cruise Line. Quite a feat considering only 12% of CFO's at our nation's 500 largest companies are women.  

An even bigger feat? She's Mom to four boys under the age of 18. Tara caught up with Wendy onboard The Getaway, Norwegian's newest and very gorgeous ship.

It was a glorious day for the intrepid Trend Tracker® what with all that luxury and ocean as far as the eye could see.

"I'm not just playing, you know, I'm here to work," said Tara. "I'm here to introduce you to Norwegian's CFO, Wendy A. Beck.
But first, I think we need Champagne." Wendy nodded, "I agree." "Anything for Women To Watch, right, Wendy?" said Gilani.
"Anything," said Beck, playing along like a pro.

Including Norwegian Cruise Line, Wendy Beck has been the Chief Financial Officer of four top corporations. This prompted Tara to say:
"Who says girls can't do math? Listen up girls…girls rule!" Tara asked Wendy if she felt like a minority.

"I don't feel like I'm a minority. I've always felt like it's an advantage to be a woman and I think in every job I've moved into; I really feel like it's an asset," said Beck.

Tara asked how Wendy "pays it forward." Mentoring is how Wendy shares her experience and her success.

"I feel an obligation to up and coming women, and men," she said. "To bring them along, support them, motivate them elevate them. I feel very blessed in my career and where I've risen to. I get great pleasure from paying it forward and paying it back."

Watch Trend Tracker® Tara Gilani's One On One With Wendy Beck

Wendy loves her job. That's her advice: "Love what you do."

"Here we're in the vacation business. It's a dream come true. I love working with people from all over the world. We have the most diverse company. We have hundreds of nationalities on our cruise ships and even in the corporate office. It's a very fun environment."

How does she balance a big family and a big job?

Wendy said , "in both job or career and at home, you have to have very reliable help."

As vast as the sea, Norwegian sails upon? Wendy's family life.

"They are the love of my life. I also married my high school sweetheart. He's also one of 4 boys and my mother in law lives
with us and my niece. Never a dull moment! Our house is the house everyone likes to come to and hang out at."

Tara asked Wendy, "How do you juggle four children and a huge corporate job and not freak out?"

"If you're going to be a career woman and you have children and a husband, you've gotta lose the guilt, " said Wendy.

Here's Wendy Beck…from the heart.

"I will carry on day after day I will do the best I possibly can for my family, my company and my husband.
I won't compromise. Integrity is everything to me. I promise to do the best that I can and to be who I am."

And with that, off Wendy and Tara cruised.

For the latest on Wendy Beck, follow Norwegian Cruise Line on Facebool & Twitter:
www.facebook.com/norwegiancruiseline & www.twitter.com/cruisenorwegian (@CruiseNorwegian)

RELATED CONTENT: