What was your first job and what did you learn from it?

My first official job was in High School when I worked at the local Hallmark shop. It was a great first job because I was able to work with my friends and also it taught me that even seemingly mundane tasks can be fun if you’re open to finding the joy in them. Oh, I also learned quite a few tricks for cleaning up glitter because it always seemed to get everywhere! 

What is your go-to productivity trick?

Writing it down and making a list! There is something about the accountability of writing down my tasks that keeps me motivated to accomplish them. I also love being able to cross items off my to-do list at the end of the day.

What is your work-from-home secret weapon?

When the weather is nice, my work from home secret weapon is definitely fresh air. Whether that means working with the windows open or taking a break and going for a walk in the afternoon, I love being able to enjoy the fresh air while working. In the winter, my work from home secret weapon has been an afternoon hot tea or coffee and extra blankets. 

Who has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach your work?

I’d say both my Mom and my Dad have influenced me equally when it comes to how I approach my work. Both of my parents have worked in healthcare my whole life, so working with care and compassion has always been ingrained in me since I was young. Regardless of the workplace setting, showing care, compassion, dignity and respect are such important factors to who I am and how I serve our clients and community. 

How do you prefer to start and end your workday?

I usually prefer to start my workday by taking a look at my calendar to see what my schedule looks like for the day and then probably not surprisingly, I like to make a list of the items I need to get done during the day as well as a list of continual projects I’d like to make progress on. Even though meetings and tasks often pop up throughout the day, have an outline of the day really helps me. The end of my workday typically involves a phone call to my parents, siblings, or friend to catch up. During the warmer months I love to get outside for a walk or bike ride in the evening as well. 

What is a moment in your career so far that you are really proud of?

I am really proud of the fact that I graduated with my MBA from Western Michigan while working full-time at GROW. That was such a busy time for me, but I will forever be glad that I put my mind to it and now have my master’s degree. 

What is something people say you are great at?

I think that something people would consider to be one of my strengths is that I am dependable. Regardless of the project or task, I will get it done and done to the best of my ability. I also really love surprising people with little acts of kindness, like for Thanksgiving, since I wasn’t able to be with all of my family, I decided to drop off mini flower bouquets on their doorsteps. 

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from my mom years and years ago and it is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that I hold closely to my heart. The quote is: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” And it rings so true to me, to this day.

What are we most likely to find you doing on the weekends?

Right now, my weekends are often consumed with planning (and re-planning) our wedding, but otherwise, I am likely to be spending time with family and friends and in the summer tending to my flower gardens in the backyard. 

If you could change one thing about the world with the snap of your fingers, what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the world with the snap of my finger, I would eliminate human greed. Greed is the root of so many problems that I think it would be very interesting to see what a world without it would look like.