I had a vision to create success for others, and that purpose continues to push me forward through every challenge and obstacle. My journey has taught me that when your vision is rooted in helping others rise, giving up is never an option.

Unexpected transitions can shake even the most grounded professional and having faith does not make you immune to fear or the weight of uncertain emotions. What faith does provide is the assurance that those feelings are understood, and that the disruption you are experiencing may very well be the redirection you needed but would not have chosen on your own. There is a purpose written over each of our lives, and often it is only through an unwanted change that we find ourselves exactly where we were always meant to be. Stand firm, chin up and stay true to who you are always!

I was a commodity buyer for a Food Industry leader. Was with this company for 10+ years proud to work my way up to commodity buyer. Until the company decided to move up north. I was a recently divorced, single Mom with two children. I was lost and distraught, until I buckled in and did what I had to do. Had to start in a new industry. Had to learn all about manufacturing. Took several years but I'm proud that this moment did not break me but made me! You never know what you can do until you are forced to.

Some of the best chapters of my career began with uncertainty. Every unexpected transition taught me that growth happens when you're willing to embrace change before you feel completely ready.

Some of life's greatest transitions begin with endings we never chose, but God never abandons the purpose He has placed within us. Philippians 1:6 reminds me that 'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ,' so every setback became an opportunity for God to prepare me for the next chapter He had already ordained.

Starting over taught me that my lived experience is my greatest professional asset. It allowed me to finally bridge the gap between my mission and the structure needed to make it sustainable.

I experienced considerable grief prior to submitting my resignation, as I was aware of the necessary decision but struggled to accept it. I was reluctant to relinquish my job. However, once I submitted my notice, I found peace in the uncertainty of my next steps. I became comfortable with the situation. Subsequently, the university contacted me, expressing their desire to retain my services and offering me the chance to work part-time. This arrangement is ideal, as it aligns with my aspirations of teaching in higher education. I am not starting anew; rather, I am entering this phase with valuable experience.

I drastically cut my hair, ahead of two transitions two decades apart that involved endings and loss. After the second time around I ran across this quote by Coco Chanel, "a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life."

When life pushed me into a new chapter, I learned that reinvention is not starting over; it is rising with everything I have already survived.

The chapters I fought the hardest to avoid became the ones that revealed who I was capable of becoming. Sometimes the life you never planned is the one that uncovers your greatest strength.

After 25 years in traditional TV media sales (working for the same Hollywood studio) and moving into streaming audio and programmatic wasn't just a job change. It was learning an entirely new language. The biggest lesson: don't wait until you feel like an expert to raise your hand for the next thing. Keep learning and keep challenging yourself. This challenge forced me to rebuild my confidence from the ground up instead of coasting on a title and staying with something that was secure.

When seeking to advance my career, initially there was self-doubt. That doubt turned into pride and confidence as I updated my resume and reflected on how my willingness to take on new and different work tasks had given me the experience to successfully apply for a larger leadership role.

When life shifts, we must pivot and have faith that a better outcome awaits. It's a mindset of self-efficacy.

After surviving a life-threatening health crisis, I stopped asking how quickly I could get back to normal and started asking what "better" could look like. My advice to every leader facing an unexpected transition: don't measure success by how fast you recover, but measure it by how intentionally you rebuild.

My greatest career pivot came after stepping away to raise my family. I discovered that no experience is ever lost and when I returned, my years as an educator became my greatest strength, allowing me to lead with empathy, purpose, and a commitment to making schools safer for every child.