Time to Be Someone’s Champion #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge

I love that International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate achievement. I have had the great fortune to be mentored and inspired by exceptional women — including the fantastic one to whom I now report.

But that’s not the whole story: I would be remiss if I didn’t also recognize the men who played an important role in my development:

It was a male college professor who recognized my writing was not yet at a college level and helped me get up to speed. It is because of him I became an English major.

It was a male hiring manager who told me I was underselling myself and gave me critical salary guidance early in my career.

It was a male supervisor who encouraged me to go to graduate school and wrote my recommendation.

It was a male colleague who told me I should pursue board service.

It was a male executive who helped me develop the skills in finance I needed to get the job I wanted.

It was a male executive who fought for me to get a title that matched my responsibilities and contributions.

It was two male friends who first suggested I write a book. This book comes out in May.

It was a father who told his daughter she could do anything she put her mind to and worked hard enough for.

Every single one of us needs a champion at some point in our lives — someone who chooses to challenge conventions and sometimes even your own belief in yourself.

Thank you to those who have done that for me. It is my gift and privilege to pay it forward.

#IWD21 #ChooseToChallenge