In the moments I felt unseen and unheard, I reminded myself that my voice carried the insight others were searching for. I stopped waiting for permission and chose to speak, not to prove I belonged, but because I knew what I had to say mattered.

The most important thing to me is knowing and living by values that align with my goals and purpose. When I feel undermined or ignored, I return to those values and let them guide my next steps. If staying true to them costs me a job, that says more about the employer than it does about me and it shows that I shouldn’t be in that environment anyway. Even if it’s hard, I’ll stay true to myself rather than buckle because someone felt threatened by me doing my job well.

I realized that doubt and fear are not stop signs, but signals that my voice is needed. Speaking up is how we shift the conversation and open the door for others. My experiences are my credentials, and silence only leaves the story unfinished. Using my voice at the table is how I help shape the future.

Despite facing unconscious bias and quick judgments from others, I found strength in the heartfelt words of my previous students and athletes, who recognized my dedication as a coach and professor, reminding me of the value in my experience. This inspires me to speak up and display my true worth. By cherishing these reminders and maintaining confidence in my abilities, I refuse to let others undermine my potential.

Know, the risk you take in NOT speaking up is far greater than what you risk when you DO!

In college, I was the only woman, and the only Black person in my gaming club. Everyone doubted me, but I turned that doubt into fuel. When others doubt you, let it fuel your growth. You may get knocked down, but if you keep betting on yourself, you'll rise stronger every time. Let people's doubt sharpen your skills until they have no choice but to respect you.

I found my courage by reminding myself that my voice and perspective have value, even when others don’t immediately recognize it.

My courage came from preparation and knowledge. When you truly understand your subject matter, you can stand in your confidence and speak with authority. Knowing the facts gave me the clarity and strength to use my voice, even in spaces where it wasn’t always easy to be heard. By presenting facts with confidence and transparency, I earned the trust of my board members. They began to see me as a strategic partner, which led to stronger support for the initiatives I put forward. It showed me the power of leading with both expertise and authenticity. Believe in your value and trust your voice. You’ve earned your seat at the table, don’t hesitate to use it. Your knowledge, perspective, and expertise are exactly what your organization needs. Speak with conviction, advocate for your ideas, and remember: your leadership has the power to create lasting impact.

I advocated within the State of Florida to prevent systems from collapsing, but no one listened. In 2020, the unemployment system failed, exactly what I had tried to prevent with a simple solution I had developed. I’ve learned it doesn’t matter if they listen or not: speak and live your truth, and always do your best.

My military training didn't just teach me to follow orders — it taught me to assess situations tactically and speak with conviction when it mattered most. The day I stopped waiting for permission to contribute, and started treating every boardroom like a mission briefing where lives depended on clarity, my voice became impossible to ignore. You didn't survive everything you've been through just to stay silent. When you have something valuable to say — speak. That's how impact happens.

I found courage when I realized that staying quiet meant agreeing. In a major meeting, I spoke up about how a decision would hurt patient retention. At first no one responded, but later the team changed course. That moment reminded me that my voice mattered and that I truly belonged at the table.

In a room full of surgeons and executives, I didn't wait for permission to speak, I knew that every patient's journey begins with my team's work, and silence wasn't an option. I spoke up not for recognition, but because advocating for operational excellence means advocating for better care. When I spoke up, I didn't just claim my seat at the table, I made it clear why that seat needs a voice like mine.

When I feel uncomfortable or challenged, I lean on two lessons from mentors: when you are satisfied, improvement has stopped, and what one person can do, so can another. Together, these mantras give me the confidence to speak up when my voice can advance our mission, vision, and impact.

I used to feel out of place in certain rooms, hesitant to speak for fear of being judged. Over time, I learned the power of stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing my unique perspective.

I found my courage by reminding myself that my voice carries solutions and perspectives that deserve to be heard. Once I chose to speak with confidence, I not only claimed my seat at the table but also encouraged other women to do the same.

Having found a way to let my voice be heard has resulted in observing others do the same. My advice: it doesn't matter who wants to hear it or gets upset, let your voice be heard. Do not allow those in denial to keep your voice hidden.

I’ve been in rooms where I felt invisible, where my ideas went unheard. But I remembered who I was raised to be. I spoke with clarity and purpose, and slowly the room began to shift. People listened because I embodied it