April Hayes Young

I attribute my success to the leadership, guidance, and example I received from my parents, particularly my father, who serves in the United States Army. As his oldest daughter, I was given a unique perspective on responsibility, discipline, perseverance, and leadership from an early age. Watching my father lead with purpose and watching my mother stand beside him taught me that true leadership is not always about being in the spotlight -- it is about showing up, supporting others, and being willing to do the work.

I also grew up watching my parents navigate entrepreneurship and business together. I saw firsthand the importance of partnership, resilience, integrity, and having the courage to pursue something bigger than yourself. Their influence despite opposition taught me that success is not simply measured by personal accomplishments, but by the impact you have on the people and community around you. One of the experiences that left a lasting impression on me was witnessing my parents play a role in the community efforts that helped orchestrate the change of the streets Alcaniz and Cross to what is now Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Seeing my parents participate in something that connected history, community, leadership, and progress showed me that ordinary people can contribute to meaningful change.

Being the oldest daughter shaped me as well. I learned early to observe, take responsibility, lead by example, and understand that people are often watching what you do more than listening to what you say.

Today, I carry those lessons with me. My success is rooted in the foundation my parents gave me: serve with integrity, lead with purpose, persevere through adversity, support others, and strive to use my experiences and influence to make a difference in my community and the lives of others.

The best career advice I've ever received is simple: treat people the way they want to be treated. Throughout my career, I've learned that success is not only about what you accomplish, but also about how you make people feel along the way. Listening, showing respect, leading with empathy, and understanding that that everyone has different needs and perspectives have shaped the way I work and lead. I believe that when you treat people with dignity and genuine care, you build trust - and trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships and lasting success.

My advice to young women entering the industry is to expect opposition and plan for it. Challenges and obstacles are a natural part of pursuing any meaningful goal, so I believe it is important to think ahead and develop a plan for how you will respond when they arise. Most importantly, always remain teachable. Stay open to learning, accept opportunities to develop your skills, and continue growing even when the path becomes difficult.

One of the biggest challenges --- and opportunities -- in my field today is learning not to allow comparison, assumptions, or technology to define how we see ourselves or one another.

I have learned that comparison can easily influence our worldview and cause us to question our own value systems, accomplishments, and journey. I believe each person has to remain grounded in who they are and what they bring to the table rather than measuring their success against someone else's.

Another challenge is being prejudged. In a world where people often make quick conclusions based on a resume', a title, an interaction, or even a message, I believe there is tremendous value in taking the time to truly understand people before forming an opinion about them.

Technology has also changed the way we communicate. Tet messages and digital communication can be easily misunderstood because they remove so much of what makes human communication meaningful --- tone, facial expression, body language, personality, and intention. I have learned that sometimes you cannot allow the digital divide to replace genuine human connection. When something is important, I believe in having the courage to meet someone face-to-face, hear their voice, understand their disposition, and listen for their true intentions.

For me, the opportunity is to bring humanity back into leadership and communication. Technology should help us connect, not prevent us from connecting. I believe the strongest leaders will be those who can embrace innovation while still remembering the importance of empathy, conversation, and truly seeing people.

The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, family, empathy, resilience, collaboration, service, and authenticity.

Integrity is at the center of how I conduct myself. I believe in doing what is right, even when no one is watching, and standing firm.ly in the values that guide me.

Family has also shaped who I am. As the oldest daughter, I learned early the importance of responsibility, supporting others, and leading my example. Watching my parents support one another, build businesses, and contribute to their community taught me that success is most meaningful when it can be shared and used to positively influence others.

Collaboration is equally important to me. I believe some of the greatest accomplishments happen when people bring their different experiences, strengths, and perspectives together toward a common goal. I learned that from watching my parents work as partners, and I have carried that lesson throughout my career. Leadership, to me, is about having all the answers; it is about knowing how to bring people together and create an environment where everyone can contribute.

Empathy is another value I carry into everything I do. I believe people deserve to be heard and understood before they are judged. I try to approach people with respect and recognize that everyone is carrying a story that ma not be visible on the surface.

Resilience has become an important party of my journey as well. Life and career do not always unfold the way we expect, but I believe challenges can teach us, strengthen us, and reveal what we are truly capable of.

Above all, I value authenticity. I want to remain true to who I am while continuing to grow. Whether I am leading, collaborating with others, raising my family, or contributing to my community, I want my actions to reflect my values.

For me, success is not simply about achievement. It is about who I become along the way, how I treat people, how I work with other, and the positive influence I have on those around me.