Kimberlie Watson

I would say that many of the values that have shaped me throughout my life come from my mother, who has been one of my greatest influences. She has built a very successful career through education, hard work, and dedication, and she has always encouraged me to pursue my own goals and believe in my abilities.

Her example has taught me the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and personal growth. She has always encouraged me to challenge myself, remain committed to my goals, and never allow obstacles to define what I am capable of achieving. Those values continue to influence both my personal life and my leadership approach today.

My mentor taught me early in my career to never give up and to remain confident in my abilities. She reminded me that advancing in a traditionally male-dominated industry would require resilience, courage, and the ability to stand my ground. She also taught me the importance of not taking everything personally, knowing when to speak up, and understanding when it is more valuable to listen and learn.

Her guidance has stayed with me throughout my career: remain strong, stay focused, persevere through challenges, and never lose sight of your goals. Those lessons have played an important role in shaping both my professional growth and the leader I am today.

My advice would be to remain consistent and treat everyone with fairness and respect. Consistency is key to building trust, credibility, and strong relationships within a team.

It is also important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and remain committed to seeing projects through to completion. Challenges are inevitable, but perseverance and a positive mindset can make the difference between giving up and achieving your goals.

Most importantly, never be afraid to ask for help. There is strength in being able to say, “I don’t understand,” or “I need help.” Recognizing when you need support, asking questions, and being willing to learn are all important qualities of a strong leader.

There are times when I am the only woman in the room, and that can present its own set of challenges. One of the most important lessons I have learned is the importance of making sure my thoughts, ideas, and perspectives are heard and respected.

At times, it can be challenging to have your voice recognized, particularly in a male-dominated industry. However, those experiences have taught me to remain confident, speak with purpose, and stand behind my knowledge and expertise. I have learned that being heard is not about being the loudest person in the room; it is about having the confidence to contribute, knowing the value of your perspective, and continuing to make your voice count.

I am very passionate about being consistent and fair in everything I do, especially as a leader. I want the people I work with to know that I will treat everyone with the same level of fairness, respect, and accountability. I strive to be known as someone who follows the rules and does things by the book, but most importantly, as someone who is fair and consistent with everyone.

My family—my three children and my granddaughter—is my greatest priority and my biggest source of motivation. Work has never been the thing that causes me the most stress; my family is where my heart is. At the end of the day, they are what matters most to me and what continues to inspire me both personally and professionally.