Brenda McKinney- Hardimon

To my mother, a lesson my mother taught me: stay in the game. She always told me that if I went to school every day, I would learn something. So I kept going. I never really knew when to stop learning. In fact, I came within a dissertation of earning a doctorate, but I decided not to finish it because I didn't need it for my career goals. I reached the GS-13 level in the federal government and was satisfied with where I was. I never wanted to be a supervisor - I already had children to supervise at home. Looking back, my success came from persistence, consistency, and a commitment to keep learning every day.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my mother: go to school, show up consistently, and keep at it—because persistence, discipline, and a commitment to learning create opportunities that last a lifetime.

My advice to young women is simple: don't rush. Take your time and enjoy each stage of life. When you're transitioning from being a teenager into adulthood, it's easy to feel like you need to grow up quickly or have everything figured out right away. But there is value in slowing down and appreciating the journey. Enjoy life to the fullest, but do so with wisdom and good judgment. Be mindful of the choices you make and the environments you place yourself in. Not every opportunity or situation is meant for you. Above all, be respectful. Respect will take you a long way in life. Be truthful and genuine in everything you do. I've never felt the need to embellish my story because everything I share comes from my real experiences. I've lived it, I've done it, and I'm still doing it. Most importantly, keep God first. I believe that is one of the greatest keys to life. God guides us, speaks to us, and provides direction when we are willing to listen. As Scripture teaches, when we put God first, everything else falls into place. So to any young woman entering adulthood, my message is this: slow down, don't rush, stay true to yourself, treat others with respect, and trust God's plan for your life.

The biggest challenge in finance right now is the era of AI taking over. Young people are doing things differently with artificial intelligence, and when you reach a certain age, you have to recognize when it's time to transition. It's not that they push you out - it's that the times have changed. We're doing things at a different level than the younger generation, and if they don't see that you're keeping up with their methods, they don't appreciate the experience you bring. You get to a point where you have to know when to stop working in that area. Your motor skills decrease, and you can only survive doing certain work for a period of time in your life. That's how I ended up transitioning to transportation - I recognized that I had to stop doing finance work at that intense level, even though I'll never stop understanding it. We have to explain to young people and elderly people alike that nobody pushed anyone out - it's just that time has changed.

My values are centered on putting family first, being loyal and dedicated to my mission, and helping others succeed. I believe in showing up every day, honoring my commitments, and giving my best effort in everything I do. Education has always been important to me because I believe learning creates opportunities and helps people grow. I value resilience and perseverance. I understand that people are not perfect and may sometimes say hurtful things, but I believe in developing tough skin and not allowing negativity to stand in the way of my goals. I focus on moving forward and staying committed to what matters most. I also believe in sharing knowledge and helping others learn. If I learn something that can benefit someone else, especially my family, I want to pass it on. I believe in supporting and encouraging others, particularly children, so they can build confidence, overcome challenges, and reach their full potential. Family, loyalty, service, education, and resilience are the values that guide my decisions and shape the way I live and work.