What do you enjoy most about working with CYP and/or the chamber?
What I enjoy most about working with CYP and the chamber is the intent to make Clearwater an even better place to live and work through community support, volunteer opportunities and advocacy. The passion the other members have to make a positive impact in the community has really inspired me.
What's been your favorite or most memorable moment of your career so far?
My most memorable moment of my career so far has been when I started my first business in a foreign country. The company I had been working for in Spain had just closed, and I was considering my next opportunity. I knew I could offer professionals a lot of value through consulting, coaching and leadership training, so I decided to take a risk and embark on my first entrepreneurial journey. I became profitable on day one, developed a steady customer base of 30 clients throughout the first year and expanded to 50+ clients the second year.
Who is someone that inspires you in your career and why?
Erika Lance, our SVP of People Operations at KnowBe4, really inspires me because she is a fearless leader that makes things happen. I have watched her completely transform the People Operations department from an administrative one to taking a more strategic role within the organization. No matter how busy she is, she always makes time for her employees. The way she runs People Operations is by focusing on each individual as if they were her closest friend.
If you have one piece of advice to give to other young professionals, what would it be?
Follow your passion. Work is where you spend most of your life, so make sure you are dedicating the majority of your time to a job that you love. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes those career risks that you are unsure about taking end up having the greatest payoff. And lastly, get involved in the community and make connections. Some of the best career moves you might make will be based on those connections you have formed and people you have met.
