Book Summary:
In The Parlay Effect: How Female Connection Can Change the World, Anne Devereux-Mills uses her insights as Founder of Parlay House to show how small actions can create a cascade of positive change — in your life and in the lives of others.
A former advertising agency CEO, Devereux-Mills tells the inspiring story of how, just short of her 50th birthday, she lost her health to cancer, her last child to college, and her job to the recession.
Stripped of everything that had been her identity, she set out on a path to rediscover herself and recreate her life. Recognizing that she was missing authentic relationships that were not based on what she “did” for a living, but what she cared about as a person, in 2012 she founded Parlay House, a now-international series of salons that brings together diverse groups of women to talk about topics they rarely discuss. As the gatherings grew, she saw how they triggered small actions among participants and resulted in waves of connection and support well beyond the live gatherings. She dubbed that cascade “The Parlay Effect.”
˃˃˃ Through a combination of personal stories and scientific research — conducted in collaboration with Dr. Serena Chen, a tenured Professor of Social Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley — The Parlay Effect will help you reframe your relationships, and in turn:
– Feel stronger in your ability to help others
– Feel empowered at a time when many of us feel helpless
– Know how to be part of creating communities that are shaped by personal values
– Feel more empathy, joy, energy, confidence, and clarity.
Amazon Link – https://amzn.to/2MY76nQ
Editorial Reviews:
Whether you are a woman who supports women, or a man taking the lead in pulling women forward, this book is a must-read. — Jocelyn Mangan, CEO and founder, Him for Her
Anne Devereux-Mills has written an endearingly frank and searingly honest account of how the challenges of her own personal journey led her to these revelations, learnings and insights. If you want to change your life, and in doing so, set “the Parlay Effect” in motion to ensure you also impact the lives of many others for the better, read this book! — Cindy Gallop, founder, Make Love Not Porn
“The Parlay Effect” is real. When women can contribute their voice assertively and authentically, they move mountains. Anne has opened up a new channel for change. — Andy Cunningham, marketer of innovation and founder of Cunningham Collective
The Parlay Effect is going to be my go-to gift for all of the important women, and men, in my life. It is chock-full of inspiration as we all seek deeper meaning in our lives. — Joanna Rees, managing partner, West
As Anne points out in this wonderful book, “We are all stronger when we are connected.” A wonderful read, The Parlay Effect outlines a step-by-step process that works. — Christina Mace-Turner, founder and CEO, Mab & Stoke
One Small Thing(TM) is a poignant and persuasive reminder for women of the transformative power of diversity and connection. A moving and inspiring guide to reigniting our sense of purpose and passion. — Sherrilyn Ifill, president, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
About the Author:
Anne Devereux-Mills spent the first half of her career building and running advertising agencies in NYC as Chairman and CEO. When hit with the triple threat of progressing cancer, an empty nest and an unexpected job loss, she took time to reassess her career trajectory and hierarchy of needs. In 2012, long before the #MeToo movement, she founded Parlay House. a salon-style series of gatherings which now includes over 5,000 women across the US, Europe and the Middle East. Parlay House’s objective is to provide thought-provoking content and a safe space for women to have intimate and authentic conversations that don’t happen in other aspects of their lives, and to connect with women outside their traditional social, demographic and career-influenced circles.
Her commitment to issues related to inclusion and empowerment run deep. Beyond Parlay House, Anne is a mentor for SHE-CAN, an organization supporting and grooming the next generation of female world leaders coming from post-genocide countries. An activist on issues related to social justice, Anne was a key member of the team that helped pass California’s Proposition 36, which brought fair sentencing to thousands of non-violent inmates as part of California’s Three Strikes reform.
Following that victory, she was the Executive Director for the Emmy-nominated documentary film entitled, The Return and is currently Executive Directing two additional films, Mississippi Red and The Green Dress. Anne supported Stanford University by serving as the Executive Director of Healthy Body Image Programs.
Prior to her philanthropic ventures, Anne was Chief Integration Officer at BBDO and Managing Director of their highly successful healthcare unit. She then became Chairman and CEO of LLNS and TBWA/WorldHealth. She also served as CEO of Consumer Healthworks, a division of Merkley and Partners, as well as President of Harrison& Star. Anne also helped launch the iHUG Foundation, a not-for-profit school in Uganda supporting some of that nation’s most needy children. A 2003 Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, Anne has been honored by a range of organizations including SHE-CAN, Advertising Women of New York, The All-Stars Foundation, Project Kesher and Worldwide Women.