Mary Joffre

I attribute my success to the incredible people who have loved, supported, challenged, and believed in me throughout my life.

First and foremost, I credit my parents. They were young parents who worked hard to raise three daughters and a son. My father, in particular, was one of my greatest influences. He constantly reminded my sisters and me that being women should never limit our dreams or our potential. He taught us to be independent, hardworking, and self-reliant. He would tell us that we could accomplish anything we set our minds to and that we should never depend on someone else to create the life we wanted for ourselves.

More importantly, my parents taught us to treat everyone with dignity, respect, and kindness. My father showed us that titles do not define a person's worth. When he passed away in 2007, people from all walks of life came to pay their respects. Seeing the impact he had on so many people reinforced one of the most important lessons he taught me: how you treat others is your legacy.

I am also incredibly grateful for my siblings—Melissa, Natalie, and Mace. We have always encouraged and supported one another. We celebrate each other's victories, stand together through life's challenges, and continually push one another to be better. Today, all of my siblings hold leadership roles, and I believe that is a direct reflection of the love, support, expectations, and discipline our parents instilled in us from an early age.

I also owe much of my professional growth to my mentor, Kasha Bartholomew. She taught me what servant leadership truly looks like. She walked beside me—not ahead of me or behind me—and helped me see potential in myself that I sometimes struggled to see. She would often tell me, "I know you have it in you. I know you can do it. I want you to be better than me." Those words challenged me to keep growing and striving for more. When I received my promotion this year, one of my first calls was to Kasha. Hearing how proud she was of me was a moment I will never forget.

And of course, I would not be where I am today without my husband, Carlos. He is my rock, my best friend, and my biggest cheerleader. He has supported me through every challenge, celebrated every success, and never stopped believing in me. One of my favorite stories is that he was actually my neighbor growing up, and after 32 years, he finally told me he had a crush on me. Thankfully, the timing was right, and the rest is history.

Finally, I attribute my success to resilience. Life has presented me with challenges and hardships, but I have chosen not to view myself as a victim. Instead, I see myself as a survivor. Those experiences have shaped me into the leader I am today. They have taught me perseverance, empathy, compassion, and integrity. They allow me to connect with people on a deeper level and remind me that leadership is not about position or title—it's about serving others, helping them succeed, and leaving people better than you found them.

To believe in yourself. I just remember Kasha mentoring me and sitting with me, telling me I could do it. Coming from humble beginnings, not having a college background, she would tell me to persevere, to go for it. She often reminded me to "walk in faith, not fear." She taught me that fear can become our greatest obstacle if we allow it to dictate our decisions. Her advice was simple but powerful: keep moving forward. There will be setbacks, disappointments, and moments when you get knocked down, but don't stay there. Get back up, learn from the experience, and keep going. That advice has stayed with me throughout my career and has given me the confidence to pursue opportunities, embrace challenges, and trust that I am capable of more than I sometimes believe.

.My advice to young women entering this industry is to work hard, believe in yourself, and never underestimate the value of your voice. Take ownership of your mistakes, learn from them, and view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. Stay compassionate in how you lead and interact with others, and let integrity guide every decision you make.

Be open-minded and committed to continuous learning. Some of the greatest opportunities in my career came from stepping outside of my comfort zone and embracing new challenges. Have confidence in your abilities, remain resilient when obstacles arise, and don't be afraid to take a seat at the table. Most importantly, support and uplift other women along the way. Success is even more meaningful when we help others grow with us.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now include navigating rapid AI and technological change, addressing ongoing misconceptions about the strategic role of HR, managing the emotional labor of supporting employees through personal and professional crises, and embracing the opportunity to mentor and develop the next generation of emerging talent.

In both my work and personal life, I value integrity, compassion, balance, discipline, and continuous growth. I believe success is important, but not at the expense of the people and relationships that matter most. One of the lessons I've learned throughout my career is the importance of setting healthy boundaries and maintaining a strong work-life balance. When we take care of ourselves and prioritize the people we love, we are better equipped to show up as our best selves both professionally and personally.

I cherish spending time with my husband, family, and friends. They are my foundation, my support system, and a constant reminder of what truly matters. I also enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and creating meals that bring people together. Reading and lifelong learning are passions of mine as well. Whether it's a leadership book, a self-development audiobook, or a fantasy novel, I believe there is always something new to learn and a new perspective to gain.

Above all, I strive to remain curious, open-minded, and committed to growth. I believe that every experience, challenge, and opportunity offers a lesson if we're willing to learn from it. My goal is to continue growing as a leader, a wife, a friend, and a person while staying grounded in the values that guide me every day.