Kirstie Austin

I attribute my success to rigor, persistence, and having clear goals. There have been so many influential woman I have grown to know over the length of my carrer, and each and every one of them taught me somthing different, yet equally important. I strive to make a meaningful impact, be a good person, and appreciate my accomplishments while continuing to grow.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was to lean into my strengths and embrace my personality. A former director once told me that I have a unique ability to bring joy, positivity, and energy into a room—and to never lose sight of that.

Your path will not be linear, and that’s not only okay, it’s powerful. I’ve moved from teaching in a high‑need school district, to underwriting in finance, to corporate training, to instructional design in tech. Every pivot added a skill, a perspective, and a layer of confidence I couldn’t have gained any other way. Don’t be afraid to change direction—your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful.

My most recent company was acquired by an outside organization, and as a result, my entire team was cut in a large layoff. At first, this came as a big shock. After giving myself a day to mourn the loss of a job I truly loved, I pulled myself together and reminded myself that this moment would not define me, nor would it keep me down.

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the emotional and professional impact of losing a role that felt deeply aligned with my strengths and passions. When you pour yourself into your work—into your team, your projects, your growth—it’s difficult to suddenly have that taken away through circumstances outside your control. It forces you to confront uncertainty head‑on.

However, this experience has also taught me something important: your value isn’t tied to a single company or title. Your skills, your work ethic, your creativity, your ability to learn and adapt—those stay with you. I’ve used this time to reflect on what I want next, refine my portfolio, strengthen my craft, and pursue roles that excite me even more.

This challenge has ultimately made me more resilient, more self‑aware, and more confident in the direction I’m heading. It reminded me that setbacks can be catalysts, and that sometimes the path forward begins with a door closing behind you.

While my biggest passions outside of work are spending time with my husband and children, reading thriller novels, and watching detective shows, I’m someone who genuinely values curiosity and lifelong learning. I love solving problems, thinking critically, and understanding how things work. Those qualities shape not only how I move through my personal life, but also how I approach my work, as someone who is always eager to learn, improve, and create meaningful experiences for others.