Rhiana Dennison

The first person that comes to mind is myself. I was raised by a single mother alongside my younger sister, and watching my mom work tirelessly to provide for us while we faced our own struggles shaped who I am today.

Because of that, I consider my biggest competitor to be myself. I’m constantly striving to grow, improve, and push beyond my own limits. I do it for myself because I want to prove to myself what I’m capable of, but I also do it for the people I love.

My goal isn’t just to create a good life for myself—it’s to create opportunities and a fulfilling life for my family and friends as well. I want to be able to share experiences, explore new places, build meaningful connections, and give back to the people who have supported me along the way, and hopefully inspire people along the way. That’s what motivates me to keep going every day.

I received a piece of advice from someone I really admire that has stayed with me: wherever you are in life—professionally or personally—don’t isolate yourself. That idea has had a lasting impact on how I approach both work and relationships.

I’ve also learned a great deal from the leaders in my life about what it means to have someone believe in you, sometimes even more than you believe in yourself. The CEO of my previous company, Kevin Jones, showed me what true leadership looks like—how you support your team, invest in your people, and create space for them to grow. His confidence in me helped me step into new opportunities and expand my own belief in what I was capable of achieving.

My current boss and branch manager, Shawn Kaplan, continues to model that same kind of leadership. His approach is deeply people-focused, grounded in trust, growth, and shared success. I’ve learned that when leaders genuinely care, invest in development, and consistently support their teams, it creates an environment where people feel empowered to grow and succeed.

I feel fortunate to have met and built relationships with people who have become not only mentors but also lifelong friends. I can reach out to them for guidance—whether it’s to talk through a challenge, ask for perspective, or confirm that I’m on the right track. Having a network of people who encourage, challenge, and believe in you makes a meaningful difference in both confidence and career development.

If I could talk to my younger self at 21, just entering the workforce, I would say a few things.

First, trust yourself. Especially as women, we often have strong intuition and gut instincts. I knew that instinct was there at a young age, but I didn’t always listen to it. Learning to trust yourself—and to surround yourself with people who are like-minded and genuinely want you to succeed—is incredibly valuable.

I would also say that it’s okay for things to change. You may start your career thinking you’re on a specific path, and a few years later realize you want to pivot into something new. That’s not only okay, it’s often necessary for growth. It’s also okay to feel uncomfortable in those transitions and to stretch yourself beyond what feels familiar.

It may feel uncertain at first, but with the right support system around you, that discomfort turns into confidence. Growth comes from allowing yourself to evolve while staying grounded in who you are.

One of the biggest challenges in my journey has been learning to redefine success and let go of the path I originally envisioned for myself. I've also worked to overcome perfectionism and become more comfortable with uncertainty and change. These experiences taught me that fulfillment and success are not always the same thing, and they have helped me stay open to new opportunities, growth, and continuous learning.

What matters most to me is how I make people feel. I’ve always been drawn to helping others, and that passion has stayed consistent throughout my life.

I value being surrounded by people who genuinely want to see each other succeed, and I deeply appreciate a strong support system built on encouragement and shared growth. I’m also committed to continuous learning, and I hope to stay in environments that challenge me and help me evolve.

I want to make an impact not only within my team but also in the broader community. I value leaders who are truly invested in people and who support your growth as much as you invest in your own.

I’ve also learned that it’s okay to change direction and discover new passions. As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve had to learn that growth often comes from discomfort and change.

Ultimately, I believe success is for everyone, and I want to keep building community, expanding my network, and inspiring people along the way.