Q: What was your first professional job?
A: I worked for a couple of law firms while I was in college because my dream was to be a lawyer some day. However, my first professional job right out of college was with WFIE-TV in Evansville, Indiana. I worked in their Sales and Marketing department and was really inspired by two female employees that worked there. I was very young and impressionable and spent a lot of time watching them successfully relate and interact with their peers and colleagues. Much of that has stayed with me today.
Q: How do you currently define success in your career?
A: I define success as being happy and using my full potential in my career, regardless of what position or level I hold within a company. Companies need leadership at all levels. Another critical element to my feeling successful is being challenged. I’m always seeking to learn new areas of my company, and I welcome new projects that will stretch me past my comfort zone. I believe that by continually learning, I will be a better employee. Success to me also means that I am able to dedicate that same time and commitment to my family. I am fortunate to work for Cargill because they value both work and home.
Q: What's one of your most tried-and-true secrets for maintaining or re-gaining your sanity?
A: Remembering what my true priorities are - faith and family. I also rely on running and biking to help me let go of stress. Physical
exercise really helps me clear my mind! My husband Tim and I have 8 kids and managing their activities (along with my travel schedule for work) can be a real juggling act. Even though our schedule is extremely hectic, it really grounds me. I feel so blessed with my crazy, hectic family and lifestyle. I call it my organized chaos. You only go through this world once and I’ve learned to enjoy it and live in this moment.
Q: What's one piece of career advice that was given to you when you were an emerging leader that you'd like to pass along to other emerging women leaders?
A: The one piece of career advice that was given to me by a dear friend was to be a person of integrity. High ethical standards are so paramount to building trust and credibility with peers, colleagues and anyone you work with. True leaders listen more and talk less. They value others' ideas and visions. They focus on helping others succeed. By doing that, the company succeeds.
Q: What would your totally decadent day-off look like? (Think fairy-tale)
A: My fairy tale day would be competing just one day in the Tour de France! (Even though I think it’s a men’s-only race). In my fairy tale I’d be an awesome cyclist and would leave a trail of cyclists behind me as I climbed those really steep mountains in France! At the end of the day, my family and I would share a great meal and a great glass of French wine somewhere in France…anywhere!
