In 2015, I left my job of nearly 20 years. I had become bored after many years of being in the same role, and it had finally become clear to me that I would not progress in the organization beyond my current role and pay grade. I wanted to go somewhere where I could utilize my skills in an organization that understood and embraced them. So, I left the only professional job I had ever known and accepted another opportunity. Unfortunately, the new job and I were not a great fit for each other. The company culture was unhappy, there was continued infighting among teams, and my vision for how to perform the role did not align with the company’s vision. But I also found the work to be dull, and I had no way of knowing whether the tasks I worked on were strategically important. After 3 unhappy years there, I was forced out. Thankfully I found a short-term role in a great organization. The industry and the work were exciting, but it was a family-owned company, and there was no real advancement potential.

Amid my career unhappiness, I returned to school for a master’s degree. I knew there was more I needed to learn so that I could have more influence and make a larger difference. And in May of 2019, I graduated with a degree in Enterprise Architecture. Shortly after that, I joined a terrific organization that was a better fit for me and my talents.

During this time, I also began a series of Self Reliance courses through my local Church congregation. I spent a lot of time learning and applying best practices for finding a better job, getting my financial life in order, and starting and growing a business. I also enrolled in a Career Mastermind group, where I was mentored and made connections with other like-minded professionals.

The last several years of career adversity and personal transformation have instilled in me the desire to make sure other people are given the skills and the encouragement they need to make a fresh start and pursue their goals, so they can find career fulfillment. It inspired me to launch the Traceability Podcast. It’s also put me in contact with coaches, thought leaders, and speakers who have willingly shared their own stories of career challenges, how they’ve overcome them, and strategies for moving forward and making a difference.

What began with the podcast has now led me to develop my own coaching program and also led me to my why – which is to build a fearless and resilient community by transforming organizations and people.