Dr. Angie Paccione

I attribute my success to my family, particularly my mom, a strong Black woman who was one of the first women to work on Wall Street. I've been surrounded by a family that really inspired everyone to make a difference in the world. It was always about what difference you're going to make and how you're going to be the best you that you can be. I said yes to opportunities all along the way. I never thought about getting a master's or doctorate, but when my principal suggested I'd make a great principal and needed a master's, I went and got it. While getting my master's, the head of the Department of Education at Colorado State University said I'd make a great professor and asked if I'd thought about getting my PhD. So there were opportunities created, and I said yes to all those opportunities, as long as it took me further in advance of what I was hoping to do, or something new and different. I've been a person who said yes to opportunities along the way, empowered by and inspired by my family behind me.

The best career advice I ever received came from my grandmother, who told me to never go back to something you've already done unless you go back in a different capacity. This advice guided me after I ran for Congress in 2006 and lost by 2.5%. Instead of going back to Colorado State University as a professor, which is what I had been doing, I took her advice and joined Verus Global in a completely different capacity. That wisdom has shaped how I approach career transitions and opportunities, always looking to grow and evolve rather than simply returning to what's comfortable or familiar.

There are four things that have to really be aligned in your life in order for you to be fulfilled and inspired. First, you have to pursue your passion. Passion is more sustainable than practical, because practical changes - look at how AI is changing the world. Passion is purposeful and sustainable. Second is your purpose, which is not what you do, but what happens to people around you when you do what you do. Your purpose should be reflected by what happens in the world around you. Third, you have to make sure that you are true to your values and your convictions, and if anything or anyone asks you to compromise on those or violate those, then leave immediately. If you sacrifice your values for a job, it will also be the death of you. And the last one is your skill set that you have or the one that you want to build. If you move in the direction of those four things and they are aligned, then you will be on the right track, even if the track becomes circuitous like mine did. As long as those four things are aligned, then I believe that you can be fulfilled and inspired in the work that you do.

One of the biggest challenges in my field is the rapid acceleration of AI and technological change, which is reshaping career pathways and requiring continuous re-skilling beyond traditionally “safe” or practical choices. At the same time, there are meaningful opportunities—especially for women creating powerful second chapters in their careers—and for addressing pressing social issues like expanding higher education access for foster youth and tackling barriers related to homelessness and affordable housing.

Passion, purpose, and integrity—never compromising convictions—along with a deep commitment to service and activating the potential in others are the values that guide both my work and personal life.