I had a wonderful childhood, being the youngest of four kids and the only girl. I was spoiled, but not with material things, but rather with love. Growing up in Zumbrota, MN, was special because we had the only covered bridge in the state. If you haven’t seen it, you should definitely visit! As a young girl, I enjoyed playing with dolls, sleepovers with my best friends, and exploring the neighborhood.
When I reached junior high, I encountered adversity for the first time. At 12 in 1977, I was ready to move on from playing with dolls and wanted to follow in my older brothers’ footsteps by playing golf. The problem was that there was only a boys’ team, and our small town didn’t have a girls’ team. Undeterred, I joined the boys’ team and practiced every day after school for the next five years. I could only participate in a few meets when there weren’t enough boys to form a team. In my senior year, I asked to play as a regular player but was denied. So, I decided to learn how to play tennis instead.
After high school, I attended college and earned my BS in Manufacturing Engineering. I began my first job as an Industrial Engineer, proud to be the only female on the team. I embraced the challenge and quickly immersed myself in the role. One day, I received a call from Mr. Castillo’s secretary, informing me that I couldn’t join the company’s golf league because it was for men only. However, my supportive peers stood up for me, and I was allowed to play by the end of the day. I didn’t let setbacks hold me back.
Throughout my career, I worked as a Quality Manager and Organizational Development Leader in different manufacturing companies. I developed and conducted training programs for people at all levels, helping them enhance their skills and knowledge. After 16 years in manufacturing, I transitioned to the healthcare industry, working as a program manager to develop an employee wellness program. I later became a process improvement consultant, using my background to lead improvements in the healthcare system.
One of the most challenging adversities I faced was related to my marriage. After 19 years of marriage and two beautiful daughters, my husband and I realized that our family was broken and unhealthy. We decided to separate, and I had to find a new place to live quickly. I found the perfect house in a supportive neighborhood through a series of fortunate events.
While going through my divorce, I also faced a setback in my career. I was informed that my position would be downgraded, resulting in a significant salary reduction. As a single mother, this news hit me hard. I began searching for a new job, and after some initial struggles, I reached out to a former colleague who helped me secure a position with a 40% salary increase.
Throughout my career, I have always embraced leadership and personal growth. I pursued a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and honed my leadership style. I value traits like intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability. I operate with integrity, trustworthiness, compassion, humor, empathy, and optimism. I strive to be a leader who collaborates and empowers others.
In my personal life, I faced health challenges and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called systemic scleroderma. This experience led me to become involved in the scleroderma support group and advocacy committee in Minnesota. I had a fulfilling career in the largest healthcare payer organization, where I held various roles from Program Director to leading a team of consultants. However, I faced another major adversity when I was unexpectedly told to find another job within the organization or face a performance improvement plan. After reaching out to the Senior VP, I received a layoff and had the freedom to explore new opportunities.
After several consulting gigs and networking, I found a position in Minnesota’s safety net healthcare system. I worked as a liaison, serving patients and residents of the county, and eventually led a collaborative effort to develop a new care model for patients with congestive heart failure. We implemented human-centered design principles and achieved positive results, improving the emotional well-being of patients and their care teams.
Looking ahead, I am excited about consulting and helping organizations achieve their goals. I also facilitate The Happiness Practice to help individuals unlock their innate happiness and find serenity and excitement in life. Despite chronic illness and adversity, I continue to grow and lead with love.