I didn't build my career by following a straight path

I've never had a traditional career path, and honestly, I think that's what's shaped me most as a leader.

I married young, raised my family, and built my career while juggling all the things life throws your way. One promise I made to myself was that I would earn my degree before my children graduated. There were plenty of late nights and moments when it would have been easier to stop, but I wanted my kids to see that it's never too late to invest in yourself and keep growing.

My career started in healthcare, then moved into restaurant management, where I learned how to lead teams, solve problems, and turn struggling operations around. When I returned to healthcare, I started in an entry-level role and worked my way up, eventually finding my passion in business operations, finance, and supporting clinical leaders.

More than 11 years ago, I took a leap of faith, moved to a different state, and accepted an opportunity that challenged me to grow even further. Today, as a Director of Business Operations at a children's hospital, I still lead with the same philosophy I've had throughout my career: do great things, help others succeed, and leave things better than you found them.

To me, leadership isn't about a title. It's about building trust, developing people, and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work in service of something bigger than themselves.

At the end of the day, I hope people don't remember me for my title or accomplishments. I hope they remember that I believed in them, helped them grow, and left every team, every challenge, and every opportunity a little better than I found it.

My journey has taught me that leadership isn't about where you start or how quickly you get there. It's about having the courage to keep growing, helping others along the way, and never losing sight of the impact you can have on the people around you.