AWL Alumni Spotlight

Describe the six months you spent in the Bloombase experience for Advanced Women Leaders.
The AWL experience was an in-depth, self-reflective process that encouraged me to get still, define and embrace my strengths and explore my own personal values. Each session built upon the previous so beautifully. I even had the opportunity to be creative during the experience, which I wasn’t expecting! At the conclusion of each AWL session, I felt inspired and recharged with a strong sense of courage and confidence.  It is the most transformative leadership development experience I have ever participated in because of the intentional focus on the whole person – body, mind and spirit.

Describe the benefits of the AWL experience. 
To put is simply, the benefits are endless. Because of the AWL experience, I now embody and own my leadership in a way that I never have before. I don’t make any apologies for being my authentic self, and that is so very powerful and greatly needed among women leaders.  I also enjoyed the benefits of an unshakable bond and sisterhood with my cohort participants where trust was always at the forefront. It’s so freeing to let your guard down and be open about your thoughts, feelings, fears and dreams without being judged. Even today, these women still serve as accountability partners, supporters and cheerleaders for me. It strengthens me to have them in my corner.

Describe the benefits of being a part of the post AWL community.
The AWL alumni community provides the opportunity for continued learning and connections. Your growth journey doesn’t cease after your AWL sessions have concluded because the alumni community allows you to pick up and plug in where you left off. I had an immediate connection with the alumni community because of our shared experience. We all speak the same language in many ways. I enjoy the diversity of the alumni community and the opportunity to engage with women who work in various industries outside of my own. Each person has a special and unique story to share, and the privilege of continuously learning from one another is invaluable.

What did you get out of the Executive Coaching sessions?
My Executive Coaching sessions provided a safe place for me to share and get comfortable with being vulnerable. What I appreciated about my coach is that she didn’t try to fix me or my situations. She listened, asked thought-provoking questions and encouraged and supported me through a very fulfilling process of developing my own solutions. I had countless “aha moments” in my coaching sessions. My coach empowered me to take charge of my well-being and future success, which is a tremendous gift.

What would you say to someone else considering this experience?
You will walk away from the AWL experience with a comprehensive toolkit for your leadership growth and development journey that will stand the test of time. In addition, you will develop close relationships with other women leaders that will further enrich both your personal and professional life. Do it! You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. You never go wrong when you invest in you.

What is the greatest ROI for this investment you made in yourself?
The greatest return on my investment is having a distinct leadership vision for myself and sharing the lessons I have learned with my work-based team and in my personal relationships outside the office. I am a better, more present and more mindful leader because of my AWL experience. What I have learned continues to serve as a guiding light for me, and I appreciate the blessing of being able to pass that along to others.

I feel like I am fulfilling my purpose when I am… encouraging, supporting and empowering others.

My favorite way to spend an afternoon by myself is… taking a long walk. My walks are a time of self-care where I reflect and decompress while getting some fresh air and exercise. It boosts my mood because I always feel like I have done something good for my well-being after a walk. An afternoon at the spa is also a favorite.

What gets you out of bed in the morning? Believing that I have a meaningful purpose to fulfill in this world.

One of my favorite role models is… my Grandmother, who passed away in 2020, because she taught me about perseverance, doing what is right and finding joy in the midst of trials. A scripture that always reminds me of her is from the book of Timothy (Chapter 4, Verse 7) that states, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

The values/behaviors that are most important to me are… faith, family, empathy, respect and integrity.

Something that makes my life ridiculously fun is… my husband and children. We laugh a lot, are always spontaneous and have the best music and dance parties at home. I can’t think of anything better than family, music and dancing!