Courtney Kirwan
I've been in management for over 10 years, starting from when I was very young. My career has taken me through various leadership roles, and I've learned what it takes to run a business through real-life experience. I recently accepted a position with UB Neurology Incorporated as their recruiting coordinator and office manager, where I'll be managing my own team. This is exactly what I was hoping for - it's way more up my alley than just working up front dealing with patients. I'm used to managing teams of around 20 people, and this role allows me to focus on what I'm truly passionate about: recruiting, onboarding, and helping people reach their goals. When I worked as a store manager for Burger King, I achieved something I'm really proud of - I had the lowest turnover rate in the country for 2024. Within my first 9 months, I had a 4% turnover rate, but the only people who left were those who were there before I took over. Every single person I hired stayed, giving me a 0% turnover rate for my own hires. I also grew the customer base by 30-35% in that same period. I really take the time to learn my crew and the people who work under me. I know that some people respond to positive reinforcement while others need a sit-down conversation. I want to make my workplace as efficient as possible and create an environment where people feel comfortable coming to me to say they want to learn more and grow. If someone tells me they're feeling overwhelmed, that's fine too - we'll find something that works for them. My expertise is in recruiting, onboarding, and keeping people. That's really my favorite part of any job I've ever had.
• ServSafe Certified
• High School Diploma
• Lowest Turnover Rate in the Country for Burger King (2024)
• Customer Service and Customer Growth Award (30-35% increase within 9 months)
• Volunteer at teen parent shelter (providing donations
• Food
• And childcare support for runaway teens and teen parents)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my daughter. She has definitely been my drive for absolutely everything. But I also have to give credit to my mother. She was a single mom taking care of 4 kids on her own, and she did whatever it took to make sure that we had what we needed - a nice home, and she even made sure the two youngest got their own cars. My mom tried really hard to make sure that we wanted for nothing. She taught me what mattered and what didn't. I know now that material things don't matter - the people around you and the people in your life matter. Material things are replaceable, but people are not replaceable. You can replace a table or a chair, but you cannot replace the good people in your life. That's a huge thing that my mom taught me, and I've carried that with me to my daughter. She's a mini-me and the exact same way. I'm most proud of raising her on my own for almost 15 years.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever received was from my mom, who always taught me to never depend on a man. She would say that you can get married, but that doesn't mean it's forever. I took that to heart in true fashion. I have savings, I've made a 401K, and I'm very responsible when it comes to my money and my job. I can't rely on anybody, married or not - I'm relying on me. That mindset has shaped everything about how I approach my career and my financial independence.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are supporting and lifting up other women, and recognizing that people matter more than material things. I really push for women to stick together and lift each other up, because we still get paid less, we still have to work harder, and we still have to prove that we are just as good just because of our gender. I've had to work so hard to prove myself just because I'm a woman. When it comes to my work, I'm passionate about what I do and I want to do what I love. I'm very passionate about helping children, especially those who didn't ask to be born into difficult situations - they didn't ask for the family they had or to be given up. If I could help them in any way, shape, or form, that's what I'd like to do. My mom taught me that material things don't matter, but the people around you do. People are not replaceable, and that's something I've carried with me and passed on to my daughter.
Locations
BURGER KING IBERIA
Buffalo, NY