Kristen Carey

I credit so much of my success to my parents. I am where I am—both personally and professionally—because of their unwavering belief in me from the very beginning. They were the first people to truly see my potential, and their constant support gave me the confidence to pursue it. The work ethic and values they instilled in me at a young age continue to shape the way I show up every day. The person they raised me to be is the foundation of my journey.

I’m equally grateful for my husband, who is my greatest supporter and steady source of strength. His encouragement and belief in me make every challenge feel possible.

Beyond my family, I’ve been blessed with extraordinary mentors. Amanda Soumelidis guided me early on, introduced me to this industry, and continues to mentor me to this day. It's not just women who can lead and mentor other women, and Frank Andreu is proof of that, a former boss, who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. And my current CEOs at Three Spirit see the value in my experience, have given me a seat at their table, and trust me wholeheartedly. I’ve always believed that being trusted and valued means more than being praised—and they are leaders I genuinely admire and look up to.

Speaking to imposter syndrome—that quiet voice that makes you question your place even after you’ve worked hard to get there. The truth is, seats at meaningful tables aren’t handed out randomly. They’re offered because of effort, skill, perspective, resilience, or potential.

If you’ve found yourself there, it’s not luck playing tricks on you. It’s proof of growth.

And sometimes the bravest thing you can do in that moment isn’t to prove you belong — it’s to simply sit confidently, contribute honestly, and trust that you’ve already earned it.

Your progress is what keeps you moving forward and showing my two‑year‑old daughter that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. When doubt creeps in, remind yourself that you’re sitting at that table because you earned it. You never have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. And as you grow, remember to lift up the next generation of women—share what you’ve learned, what you’ve built, and the path you carved, so those who follow can go even further.

Walking into rooms where your age and being a woman feel like silent qualifiers can be exhausting. There’s often an unspoken pressure to prove yourself twice — once for your expertise and once just to be taken seriously. The fact that you still show up, grounded in your value, says a lot about you.

You’re not there as a token.

You’re not there as a “young perspective.”

You’re not there as the “female voice.”

You’re there because you bring knowledge.

Because you bring experience.

Because you bring capability.

And here’s something powerful: when you take up space confidently, you quietly expand what leadership looks like. You make the room more accurate, more representative, and often more effective.

The reminder you’re giving yourself isn’t just affirmation — it’s truth. You earned your seat. And you don’t need to shrink to fit it.

Honesty

Integrity

Trust