From Admin to VP: 30 Years of Leading and Learning

Mona Akouri, Vice President of the Florida market at Rentokil Terminix, has been with the company for over three decades.
While she has held a variety of positions—from administration and sales to operations—over the years, Mona’s most recent position offers her extensive leadership and business-management experience that continues to shape the leader she is today.

“When I moved into leadership, my work shifted from being very hands-on and task-driven to being much more focused on people and strategy,” she says. “Earlier in my career, I was directly responsible for driving sales, managing operations, or handling administrative tasks myself. Now, I spend more time setting direction, coaching my team, removing obstacles, and ensuring alignment across departments. My days are less about completing individual tasks and more about influencing outcomes through others.”

Her perspective has broadened, she tells Fairygodboss. These days, she is less focused on the immediate and more focused on the bigger picture and how today’s decisions impact the business down the line.

“Leadership has taught me to think about developing people, building sustainable processes, and driving results through collaboration rather than just personal execution,” she explains. “I’ve also learned to balance accountability with empowerment, trusting my team to perform while being there to guide, support, and hold standards high.”

Here, we caught up with Mona to learn more about what she has learned over the course of her storied, three-decade career at Rentokil Terminix and how she puts those lessons to practice as a Vice President today.

What’s one strategy you’ve used when managing an individual or team that you think has been particularly effective? 

What is your No. 1 piece of advice for other women who are moving into or want to move into leadership?

My No. 1 piece of advice is to trust your voice and your perspective. Early on, it’s easy to second-guess yourself, especially in rooms where you might be the only woman. But leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about bringing your unique experiences, insights, perspective, and judgment to the table.

Another piece of advice is not to wait until you feel “ready.” Growth often happens when you step into roles that stretch you. Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel uncomfortable, and then lean on your network and mentors to help you succeed.

How would you describe your leadership style?

I have a blend of leadership styles, balancing results-driven approaches with a people focus. Ultimately, my style is about building trust, fostering accountability, and encouraging collaboration, all while driving measurable results.

What do you hope your direct reports are getting out of working with you? 

Personal development, growth, and support. I hope they feel valued and know that their hard work is appreciated and matters. I also hope they feel that they have the tools and support to continue growing as leaders. 

While building your team, what did you learn that surprised you most?

What surprised me most while building my team was just how much impact clarity and trust have on performance. I assumed people mostly needed guidance on tasks or skills, but I quickly realized that when team members understand the “why” behind their work and feel truly trusted, they take ownership.

What’s been your most valuable career mistake?

One of my most valuable career mistakes was early on in my career when I hesitated to speak up in a meeting because I thought my idea wasn’t “good enough.” At the time, it felt safer to stay quiet, but I realized later that my hesitation meant I missed opportunities to contribute, influence, and learn. Since then, I’ve made it a point to speak up, as well as to encourage others to do the same.