Sarah Mayfield

I attribute my success to two things: my children and my determination to give them everything I didn’t have. They have been my driving force—the reason I pushed myself to grow, succeed, and model a better life.

Because I can see the difference, I know this: if I was able to come this far without the support and stability they’ve had, then they’re capable of achieving far more than I ever could. That belief fuels everything I do.

For me, my personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined. I’ve always wanted my children to see that your past—no matter how difficult or toxic—doesn’t define you. If anything, it can become the very thing that drives you forward

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from Greg Colandrea, someone I’ve had the privilege of working with multiple times over the past 27 years. He has always been unwaveringly honest with me—whether the truth was good, bad, or difficult to hear—and that honesty shaped the leader I am today.

Early in my corporate career at Cenergistic, I found myself navigating a highly toxic environment, learning how to handle domineering personalities and persistent negativity. In one defining moment, Greg told me plainly: “Do the right thing, and be kind.”

It’s simple advice, but it’s stayed with me because it’s so powerful. He taught me that leadership isn’t about avoiding hard conversations—it’s about how you have them. You can do the difficult things, say what needs to be said, and make tough decisions without tearing people down. You can lead with honesty and still lead with empathy.

That principle continues to guide me every day.

Times have changed so much since I started—and for the better. Things that were once tolerated would never be acceptable today. But even with that progress, I want young women—especially single working mothers—to hear this clearly:

Be unapologetically true to who you are at your core. Not who the world tells you to be. Not who survival once forced you to become. You.

Be the person you’re proud to face in the mirror. Be the person you can lay down with at night and feel at peace with—and I don’t mean anyone else. I mean yourself. Your choices. Your life.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what matters. Knowing that where you are is where you chose to be. That who you’ve become is someone you fought for.

There is a kind of strength in that peace—and once you find it, nothing can take it from you.

One of the biggest challenges we face today is the rise of AI. It’s becoming a real force, and like the Industrial Revolution of the past, it has the potential to replace people in professional roles. Staying relevant in this rapidly changing landscape is the core challenge for my profession.

But there’s another side to it. AI only exists because it learns from us. In luxury retail—and in my role as a Salesforce professional—our value lies not just in technology, but in the human connection. AI can process data, automate tasks, and even make decisions, but it cannot truly build trust, nurture relationships, or maintain meaningful connections over time.

To remain relevant, we must embrace technology while holding fast to what makes us human. The professional world, like our personal lives, cannot function as an “all-for-one, one-for-one” machine. Communities—whether within our teams, with our clients, or in our families—matter more than ever. Our greatest challenge is remembering that relationships and human connection are what technology cannot replace.

The values that matter most to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, loyalty, and kindness.

Honesty guides everything I do—it’s about being truthful with myself and others, even when it’s difficult. I’ve found that transparency builds trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures people know they can rely on me.

Loyalty is equally important. Whether it’s toward colleagues, clients, or my family, I prioritize standing by the people and causes I care about. Loyalty means showing up consistently, supporting others, and being someone people can count on when it matters most.

Kindness ties it all together. I strive to lead and live with empathy, understanding, and compassion. Professional success is important, but it’s meaningless if we’re not lifting the people around us and maintaining respect and care in every interaction.

Together, these values create a foundation for both personal fulfillment and professional effectiveness. They remind me to act with integrity, prioritize relationships, and lead with humanity in everything I do.