AWL Alumni Spotlight

Describe the six months you spent in the Bloombase experience for Advanced Women Leaders.
The 6 months I spent in AWL were an emotional roller coaster. When I joined AWL, I was at a point where I was so enthusiastic to lead; but right before the 2nd session, I learned that I was in the process of losing my mom to cancer. I loved the AWL program and the women so much, that I kept attending and even leveraged losing my mom so quickly, into a touching Memorial Playground at her school (and yes, sent a picture to our cohort group text, while I was waiting to speak that afternoon). I learned so much professionally and personally during my time in AWL.

Describe the benefits of the AWL Experience.
The AWL experience was customized both to the cohort and the individual. Our sessions were thought provoking, challenging, and also inspiring. We had different professions, but were all at a point in our career where we could lean on each other.
 
Describe the benefits of being a part of the post AWL community.
Being in the community has not only made Indianapolis feel more connected for me in terms of women leaders, but also peers and fellow women that are in a similar career field. And some of my friends have taken the remote sessions, so it’s fun to connect over text regarding the program too.

What did you get out of the Executive Coaching sessions?
I feel like it was the first time a mentor had said, “You are so much more capable beyond the goals you have set for yourself. Ask for what you deserve vs. what you think you’re worth.” At one point after AWL, I was entertaining an offer for another job, and paused at the end of the offer because I was nervous to ask for what I wanted. I called one of my friends who had also gone through the program, and she said, “That is not what we learned at AWL, what did we learn, are you supposed to put on the brakes, or step on the gas?”.

What would you say to someone else considering this experience?
Be open to where your leadership could not only take your career, but how others would benefit from your mentorship and leadership.

What is the greatest ROI for this investment you made in yourself?
Honestly, being in AWL at a “lower” point in my life, helped me determine my personal values and what is most meaningful to me. It’s helped me dig deeper and truly give back to the women (and some men) around me. It created an empathy in me as a manager that has remained throughout my career.

The values / behaviors that are important to me are… feeling safe enough to speak up when something is wrong, and the space and opportunity to help fix the problem at hand.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? The first alarm (just one, no snoozes).

To me, leadership is… vulnerability, strength and resolve.

Something that makes my life ridiculously fun is… my 11 yr old daughter is the complete opposite of me in every way. Let’s say having her teach me TikTok dances…is really helping her become a leader down the road. Me to her: “When you teach someone and they start to feel down when they can’t get it (looking at you, Beyonce) how are you going to keep them excited to show up and try again?” I’m hoping she’s that kind of leader that people are excited to work with when she is older.

One of my favorite role models is… Dr. Jill Biden because she’s a working mom, and education is near and dear to my heart.

My favorite way to spend an afternoon by myself is… coffee with one of my girlfriends, talking without a timeline.

The kind of work I’m most passionate about is… helping others, because asking for help is one of my stubborn traits.

The legacy that I want to leave is… that I helped create the workforce model that helped women succeed as leaders and role models.

I feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose when… I know that my effort has an impact, and I’ve created the space for my team to share, speak up, and offer suggestions.