Many people think of a career path as a linear trajectory. Yet, opportunities arise out of the most unlikely of places. Keeping my eyes, ears, and heart open to opportunities while remaining grounded in the realities of raising a family profoundly shaped my personal and professional philosophy and career path. It's really all about love and about being transformed through learning and growth because of your love.
Let's begin with my employment in Children's Protective Services in Austin, Texas, where over five years I held three positions, was promoted twice, and served in several department reorganizations to help the children in our care. Here I learned how hard work, compassion, and community can save a life, and I learned what love can do to reverse the effects of trauma and hate. I came to realize that life is about both the cards we are dealt and our own fortitude. Fortitude comes from doing what is hard and right in spite of the obstacles, including the voice of fear in our heads that says "I can't."
After several years in Austin, I moved from the shimmering heat of Texas to the frigid Midwest of Ohio for family reasons. I was shortly hired on as a secretary in the Entomology Department at The Ohio State University. Never mind that I had to look up "entomology" in the dictionary before my job interview. Here an amazing faculty and staff nominated me for a distinguished staff award. Although I did not win, the letters they wrote are still among my most cherished possessions today. Seeing myself through their eyes was a powerful experience; I began to believe in me as much as they did. When offered a promotion to Fiscal and Personnel Officer within the department, I quickly accepted.
I went back to school to complete my bachelor degree at Hope College in west Michigan after serving at Ohio State for five years. While in college and after graduation I worked in a variety of positions in manufacturing and insurance.
Eventually, I came back to Ohio State to work as the Fiscal and Human Resources Manager for the Mershon Center for International Security Studies and to complete my master degree. A few years later I interviewed for the position of Director of Business Operations in International Affairs. The final interview question was "what do you bring to this position?" Without hesitation, my answer was "leadership." While it is true that credentials and experience matter, so does the desire to pay it forward. I want to give others the opportunities and encouragement that so many others have invested in me.