A powerful reflection on building an unconventional career path, discovering that your value transcends job titles, and the importance of raising your hand for opportunities despite self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
Her Story
About Christine
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Christine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to curiosity, adaptability, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact. Throughout my career, I have looked beyond my job description, volunteering for new challenges, improving processes, and finding ways to better support both leadership and my colleagues. I believe strong clear communication, and dependable follow-through are the foundation of success. By staying organizedm embracing change, and continually learning, I've been able to grow froom executive administration into marketing, communications, event planning, and strategic project coordination.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Best career advice I ever received was, "Do what you love". Honestly you have to enjoy what you do or your whole life will be miserable.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell a young woman entering my industry or any other, love what you do. If you absolutely hate it, it is not for you. Also, keep learning, keep looking for opportunities that look like they were made for you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field is using technology, especially AI and automation, to improve communication, streamline operations, and create more meaningful experiences with customers and industry partners. While technology can make us more efficient, it also raises the expectation that communications remain authentic, strategic, and people centered. Another challenge is doing more with fewer resources. Marketing, communications, and executive operations teams are often expected to support multiple priorities simultaneously while demonstrating measurable business value. Success requires adaptability, strong cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with flawless execution.
In the defense industry specifically, communicating complex technologies in a way that is accurate, compelling, and accessible, while respecting security and compliance requirements , is an ongoing challenge, Professionals who can bridge those worlds are well positioned to make a meaningful impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Whether at work or home, I value integrity, kindness, and meaningful relationships above all else. I believe in treating people with respect, following through on commitments, and leading with empathy. I also value continuous learning and growth, and I enjoy finding ways to make a positive impact, whether that's supporting a colleague, volunteering in my community, or helping a team achieve its goals
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Articles by Christine
Success Isn’t Always Loud
From Teacher to Leader: How I Built a Career Without a Perfect Plan
If you had asked me years ago where I'd end up, I don't think I would have predicted this path. Like many women, my career wasn't built on a perfectly mapped plan. It was built one decision, one challenge, and one act of courage at a time.
I have been a teacher, a bookkeeper, an employment specialist, and an executive assistant. Today, I am expanding into marketing, communications, and trade show and event leadership in the defense industry. Every role has taught me something valuable—even the ones I thought I'd leave behind.
The biggest lesson I have learned is that you do not have to start over from scratch. You start over with experience.
Your Title Is Not Your Value
There have been seasons when my confidence was tested. Times when my health made every day more difficult than anyone around me realized. There were moments when I questioned whether people saw my potential beyond my job title. I learned something powerful: your title is not your value.
Your value is found in the problems you solve, the people you lift up, the integrity you bring to your work, and the resilience you show when no one is watching.
Throughout my career, I have discovered that leadership isn't limited to those with executive titles. Leadership happens when you organize chaos into clarity, when you become the person others trust, and when you volunteer to make your workplace and your community better simply because it matters.
Some of the work I am proudest of won't ever appear on a résumé. Building outreach programs, organizing charitable events, mentoring colleagues, and creating opportunities for others remind me that success becomes more meaningful when it is shared.
Raise Your Hand
If there is one message I hope other women take away from my journey, it is this: don't wait until you feel qualified enough to pursue the opportunity that excites you. Apply for the role. Volunteer for the project. Ask the question. Learn the skill. Raise your hand.
Growth rarely arrives before confidence. More often, confidence arrives because of growth.
There will always be someone with more experience, more education, or a louder voice. Don't let comparison convince you that you don't belong in the room. Bring your work ethic. Bring your curiosity. Bring your authenticity. Those qualities have opened more doors for me than perfection ever could.
As women, we often carry invisible responsibilities while trying to excel professionally. We celebrate others while quietly questioning ourselves. It's time we become just as intentional about recognizing our own achievements. Your career doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be successful. Mine certainly hasn't, and that's exactly what makes it worth celebrating.
Keep Going
To every woman reading this who is considering a new chapter, wondering whether she's capable of something bigger, or rebuilding after disappointment: keep going. The path may not be straight, but every step is preparing you for opportunities you can't yet see.
Sometimes the strongest women aren't the ones who never struggle. They're the ones who refuse to let struggle have the last word. So take the next step, raise your hand, and trust your experience. Your voice and your courage are enough to begin. The future you're hoping for may be waiting on the other side of one brave decision.
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