Insights
Meet the Stonehage Fleming XV - Michelle Kennedy
Michelle is the founder and CEO of Peanut, a social media platform that provides a safe space for women to connect. She is the former Deputy CEO of Badoo and an inaugural board member of Bumble. With over ten years of social discovery experience, Michelle understands the safety and growth factors in developing social networks for women. She is committed to making Peanut the leading network that connects women when they need it most.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE?
"Why not you?"
Before starting Peanut, I’d been mulling over the concept for a long time. One of my good girlfriends joked: “Either you should do something or stop talking about it. It’s getting boring!” She was right. If there is something you see that is broken, societally, why can’t you be the one to change it? I often hear from women who identify things in life they would like to see done differently. My advice to them is don’t wait for someone else to step in.
WHAT DOES BEING SELECTED FOR THE SFXV MEAN TO YOU?
It is a huge honour for Team Peanut, not just for Peanut the business, but for all of the women who use the platform for support, community and guidance – it makes us all feel seen. Women supporting women as part of a community like SFXV is pivotal to our success in wider society. Whenever my work is recognised, I feel like I can breathe a little easier – that I’m not just shouting into a void and that I can go back in and do more.