Answer: The first part of my career was in the airport industry. After pausing my professional journey to work full-time in the early stages of children’s lives, I had the privilege of embarking on a second career path. Feeling the Lord’s guidance, I returned to work with a new purpose. At Athletes in Action, I joined the development team as a project manager in 2021 after working on the global team for three years. A year later, he became chief of development staff and took on a broader leadership role.
Q: What brought you to this point in your career?
A: A strong desire to continually learn and grow has been the driving force behind my career journey. Being adaptable and willing to accept new challenges has allowed me to dig in, learn new skills, and evolve both personally and professionally. This mindset opened doors to opportunities that shaped my career path and allowed me to contribute meaningfully to each role I took on.
Q: Who do you consider to be your professional board of directors (the people you go to for advice and support)?
A: I am fortunate to have many wonderful people in my life who provide advice and support. My husband Barry is always willing to listen and share his insights and experiences. Dave McDowell, VP of Development at Athletes in Action, is a mentor in the development field and has taught me a lot about the power of relationships. The women in my Leadership Dayton class and EMPOWER cohort provide a powerful network of support and inspiration.
Q: What advice would you give to women advancing their careers?
A: Recognize and embrace the different seasons of life. Understand that your career will evolve naturally, influenced by your personal and family commitments. By recognizing these seasons, you can adjust your goals and expectations to make room for both personal growth and professional success. Each stage of life offers unique opportunities to develop valuable skills. For example, focusing on family can improve your empathy, time management skills, and organizational skills, traits that are extremely useful in leadership roles. Career paths are rarely linear, so remember to be open to pivoting and redefining what success means to you.
Q: What kind of job did you want to have when you were a child?
A: I originally wanted to be a pilot and began flight training during my senior year of high school and earned my multi-engine and instrument rating civilian license in college. While I enjoyed flying, I realized that the lifestyle of a professional pilot was not for me. This led me to pursue a career in the airport industry where I could effectively utilize both my aviation background and business skills.
Q: Are you involved in any groups, boards, or non-profits?
A: I have been a member of the Junior League of Dayton for nearly 20 years and have held several leadership roles during that time, including president. While my children were young, I led the Mothers of Preschool Children (MOPS) ministry at Centerville Community Church, fostering community and support for mothers. I am a proud alumnus of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dayton Class of 2010 and an active participant in the Chamber’s EMPOWER Cohort 7.
Featured on “Women in Business”
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