Stacy Zimmerman

​I attribute my success to a powerful combination of moxie and self-determination. Entering the workforce early in an hourly role at Hallmark and charting my path without a traditional college degree, I built my career entirely on a foundation of intense curiosity, hard work, and an insistence on excellence. For me, professional growth is a continuous cycle - once I master a role, I am immediately looking for the next challenge, asking myself what more I can learn and what greater impact I can make.

A defining catalyst for my career was a piece of advice from my dad: "The worst thing someone can do is say no." That single phrase eliminated the fear of rejection and empowered me to relentlessly pursue opportunities, even when doors seemed closed or I didn’t perfectly match every qualification on paper. I recognized early that initiative creates its own opportunities. For example, early in my career, I applied for a Strategic Consultant role at Orion’s Omaha office that had already been earmarked for someone else. While I didn't get that specific job, the move signaled my ambition to leadership. Two weeks later, a similar position opened in Seattle, and the hiring manager personally called to tell me to apply.

​My commitment to executing high-caliber, flawless work has given me the momentum to confidently take these calculated risks. By consistently delivering exceptional results for clients and organizations alike, any developmental gaps became minor speed bumps rather than roadblocks. I am incredibly grateful for this self-determination; it has allowed me to turn every challenge into a stepping stone for what is next..

​​The best career advice I ever received was from my dad, who reminded me early on that "the worst anyone can say is no." For a woman navigating the corporate world, that simple truth is liberating. Society often conditions women to stay small, avoid rocking the boat, and suppress our achievements out of fear of being labeled too aggressive. My dad's advice gave me the permission to push past those invisible boundaries and claim my space.

Over time, I learned that true assertiveness doesn't require sacrificing your humanity; the key is balancing ambition with empathy. Growing up in my early career, I found a surprising blueprint for this in the storytelling of Shonda Rhimes, particularly through shows like Grey's Anatomy. Her characters provided a rare, vital representation of women who were fiercely ambitious, unapologetically excellent at their jobs, and deeply empathetic leaders.

​That media representation served as a powerful masterclass for me. It taught me that you can lead with absolute authority while still maintaining a culture of care and emotional intelligence. Today, I approach every negotiation and leadership challenge from a place of empathy - proving that using your voice and building space for others are not mutually exclusive, but rather the hallmarks of a modern leader.

My primary advice to young women entering the industry is simple: build a practice of unshakeable self-advocacy and never assume a door is closed until you have personally turned the handle. You have to be willing to use your voice, share your insights, and assert your value early and often.

​Use your voice. Don't be afraid to put your ideas out. You might have the best thought in the room, but just because there are louder voices, it doesn't mean that your voice isn't important. In this industry, it is easy to mistake loudness for authority. A loud voice does not inherently mean a better idea, and holding back your thoughts only does a disservice to the project and the team.

​At the same time, true assertion doesn't mean changing who you are. Learn to pair your ambition with strategic empathy. By taking the time to understand the unique dynamics of the room you are in, you can set firm boundaries and command respect without losing your ability to connect. Dare to take up space, and remember that you belong at the table.

​Currently, my greatest challenge and biggest opportunity lie within the nonprofit sector, specifically in my board work with Verne & Wells. Historically rooted as a for-profit business in Kirkland, the organization has pivoted into a non-profit model. To navigate this evolution, we have assembled a board from various corporate backgrounds - we're a scrappy bunch from different fields plugging our expertise directly into the nonprofit space.

​The challenge is bridging the gap between these two worlds. Nonprofits operate under entirely different dynamics - they are heavily regulated, rely on fundraising, and require a different financial architecture to thrive. Our opportunity is to take the rigorous knowledge we honed in the corporate sphere and adapt it to this new environment. My ultimate vision is ensuring that the infrastructure we build is scalable, sustainable, and highly functional. We are actively solving how the organization generates revenue, manages compliance, and structures operations so that as Verne & Wells grows, its foundational systems can effortlessly scale to support the neurodivergent community for the long term..

In both my professional and personal life, my highest-guiding values are integrity and authenticity. Maintaining these principles can be notoriously difficult in the corporate and technology spaces, but for me, they are non-negotiable. It is vital that I feel good about the work I do - not just in terms of success, but in knowing I am doing the right thing and never putting someone else at a disadvantage to get ahead.

My commitment to an unshakeable ethical foundation comes from my dad, who was a partner at a Big Four accounting firm. Growing up in that corporate environment, I learned early on that your word is your bond. When I deliver a project or attach my name to a strategy, I ensure that work is impeccable.

Alongside integrity stands authenticity. Being true to who I am means bringing my whole self to the table - quirks, unique perspectives, and all. I believe that modern leadership requires us to stop hiding our individuality. By marrying a strict standard of professional excellence with a refusal to compromise my true self, I am able to build genuine relationships and deliver work I am incredibly proud of.