Felicia DelVecchio

I attribute much of my success to having incredible mentors who believed in me and challenged me to grow—even when the feedback was difficult to hear.

Years ago, my current CEO pulled me aside and told me I wasn't ready to be in the "big room" yet. In the moment, I was devastated and embarrassed. But instead of letting it discourage me, I used it as motivation. I worked harder, developed my skills, and focused on proving—to both him and myself—that I was capable.

Within a year, I earned the opportunity to be in that metaphorical big room, not just as a participant but as the person leading the meeting. My CEO was sitting in the room, and the meeting went exceptionally well. That was a pivotal moment in my career. It showed me the power of accepting feedback, working through the emotions that come with it, and committing to growth.

Another major source of motivation is my daughter, who is now almost a teenager. I want her to see that when you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. I want her to understand that it's okay to tune out the noise, trust yourself, and pursue your goals with confidence and determination.

Having the opportunity to share my journey and serve as a positive example for her is something I'm incredibly proud of. More than any professional accomplishment, knowing that she can look at my experience and see what's possible makes it all worthwhile.

The best career advice I ever received came from my current CEO when he told me I wasn't ready to be in the "big room" yet. More importantly, he didn't just deliver the feedback—he gave me specific, actionable guidance on what I needed to improve to get there.

At the time, I was devastated and embarrassed. But he saw something I couldn't see yet: that I had potential, even if I wasn't quite ready for that level of responsibility. He gave me the autonomy, support, and runway to develop the skills I needed, and that honest feedback became a turning point in my career.

Instead of letting it discourage me, I used it as motivation. I worked harder, focused on my growth, and committed to proving—to both him and myself—that I was capable. Within a year, I had the opportunity to lead a meeting in that same "big room" with him in attendance, and it went exceptionally well.

That experience taught me that candid feedback, when paired with support and opportunity, can be one of the greatest gifts a leader can give. It remains one of the most pivotal moments of my career and continues to shape how I approach growth, leadership, and challenges today.

My advice would be: don't wait until you feel 100% ready, because that moment may never come. Growth happens when you step into opportunities that feel a little scary and a little outside your comfort zone. It's okay not to have all the answers. It's okay not to be perfect or even the smartest person in the room. You're there because your perspective has value, and you're surrounded by people you can learn from.

Confidence doesn't always come before the opportunity—it often comes after you've taken the leap. The more you challenge yourself, the more your confidence will grow and eventually catch up to your capabilities.

I also believe it's incredibly important to advocate for yourself. As women, it can sometimes feel uncomfortable to speak up about what we want, what we need, or what we believe we've earned. There can be a fine line between how assertiveness and aggressiveness are perceived, and many of us have experienced that double standard. But you should never let that stop you from using your voice, sharing your perspective, or advocating for your goals.

Give yourself permission to make mistakes. Give yourself permission to fail. Those experiences are often where the greatest learning happens. You don't have to be fully prepared before taking on a new challenge—you just have to be willing to grow through it. The opportunities that stretch you the most are often the ones that lead to the most meaningful progress in your career.

One of the biggest opportunities in our industry right now is the chance to redefine what great leadership and culture look like in a rapidly changing environment. As technology continues to evolve and the pace of business accelerates, organizations have an opportunity to build more inclusive, collaborative, and people-centered cultures that empower individuals to do their best work.

As a woman in leadership, I think there's also a tremendous opportunity to continue creating pathways for the next generation of female leaders. While we've made significant progress, there are still moments when women can feel hesitant to speak up, advocate for themselves, or pursue opportunities before they feel completely ready. Having more women in leadership positions helps create visibility, representation, and a culture where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but actively sought out.

One of the challenges that comes with this moment is ensuring that as organizations embrace new technologies, including AI, we don't lose sight of the human side of leadership. AI has incredible potential to drive efficiency, unlock insights, and help teams work smarter, but culture, trust, empathy, and strong relationships remain the foundation of every successful organization. Technology can enhance what we do, but it can't replace the importance of mentoring, developing talent, and helping people grow.

For me, the most exciting opportunity is building environments where people feel supported to take risks, learn from mistakes, and reach their full potential. The leaders and organizations that will be most successful are the ones that can embrace innovation while continuing to invest deeply in their people. That's where lasting impact is created—not just through business results, but through the careers and lives we help shape along the way.

The values that matter most to me are growth, mentorship, and trust. I believe that building people up, investing in their development, and trusting them with meaningful opportunities are the foundations of a strong culture and the key to creating something truly special.

One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been the opportunity to mentor and develop others. I'm especially proud of the fact that many members of my team have strong tenure. I've had the privilege of working with people straight out of college and watching them grow into leaders who now manage teams of their own.

Along the way, I've seen individuals overcome challenges that once felt daunting—whether it was learning to accept constructive feedback, navigating difficult conversations, or building confidence in their own abilities. Over time, many of them have taken ownership of clients and business responsibilities that I once managed directly. Watching them grow into trusted advisors and respected leaders has been far more rewarding than any personal accomplishment.

I've also always been deeply interested in mental health and understanding the challenges people face. That's a personal passion of mine because I've spent much of my life managing social anxiety. At times, it felt incredibly limiting and even debilitating. Overcoming those challenges has made my professional journey even more meaningful. It taught me that growth often comes from pushing through discomfort, and it reinforced my belief that our greatest obstacles don't have to define our potential.

Today, helping others recognize their own strengths, build confidence, and achieve things they may not have thought possible is what motivates me most. Seeing people grow beyond what they believed they were capable of is, without question, the most fulfilling part of leadership.