Stephanie Elmore

I attribute my success to resilience and never giving up, no matter what life throws at me. My CEO at Women in Project Management told me, 'No matter what you go through, you're like a cat. You always land on your feet,' and that really resonates with me because a lot of people don't pour into you that way. I'm somebody who pours into people, I motivate people, and I like to be in spaces that way. Through two job losses between 2022 and now, going through a separation from my son's dad after we bought a house together, and the emotional process of rebuilding after my divorce in 2017, I've had to keep picking myself back up. It's been hard, especially being the first one in my family to do a lot of these things - I don't come from money, I'm the first in my family to get these degrees. There's always gonna be someone who loves to see your downfall, who preys on it, but I've learned to stay firm in who I am and not give up. Even through heartache and job losses, I've stayed in my field because project management is my craft and I love it. I feel really good in this field. Being able to be resilient and be an example to other women, even if you're not perfect, is what matters. Somebody's gonna tell you you're not good enough, you're not this or that, but you are something, you are somebody, and you're that for somebody else. Somebody's watching, somebody's motivating you - there's people that see the worst, but there's also people that see the best. I've learned that success isn't about sticking to the original plan, it's about adapting, growing, and continuing forward no matter what.

I would say look at your skills and what highlights you the best. One thing about project managers is you can never over-communicate, so I kind of fell into this field because I talk a lot and I love over-communicating. Look at your skills and what you feel the best doing, because some people project on you what you should do or what you could do, but it's really about what do you feel the best doing and turning that into something professional. Always love getting new certifications, learning and growing, so get certifications, know your skill and know your craft. If you feel like you can't do it, you can. Just stay the course. Somebody's gonna tell you you're not good enough, you're not this or that, but you are something, you are somebody, and you're that for somebody else. Somebody's watching, somebody's motivating you. As a project manager, we're a jack of all trades, master of none - you're really just managing everything, but you're not managing anything at the same time. I've learned that success isn't about sticking to the original plan, it's about adapting, growing, and continuing forward no matter what.

The most important values to me are resilience, authenticity, and pouring into others. My CEO told me, 'No matter what you go through, you're like a cat. You always land on your feet,' and that really means a lot to me because a lot of people don't pour into you that way. I'm somebody who pours into people, I motivate people, and I like to be in spaces that way. I've experienced marriage, divorce in 2017, and then going through a separation from my son's dad after we bought a house together - those moments tested me in ways my career never could, but they also strengthened me. They taught me resilience in a deeper, more personal way. It's about picking yourself back up no matter what, being that example to other women, and staying firm in who you are. I don't come from money, I'm the first in my family to achieve these things, and I've had to fight a lot of barriers with a glass ceiling above me. But I've always pushed past it. Even through job losses and heartache, I've stayed true to myself and my field. Being able to be an influence for someone, to let them know to give it all they've got, and sharing my story so somebody knows they can do it too - that's what matters most to me. Somebody's watching, somebody's motivated by you, and you're somebody for somebody else.