A year ago, I graced the cover of Legacy Magazine as one of Miami’s Most Prominent and Influential Black Women in Business and Industry. What has happened since then has been a whirlwind ride. Come take this journey with me.
Imagine this – 30 years working quietly and humbly on my rise to the C-Suite. I kept my professional accomplishments to myself and hid behind my children. Perhaps that was my way of shrinking like women sometimes do. In August of 2021, my husband and I became empty nesters. The emptiness was quickly replaced with forward thinking and focus on the future. I was considering things like my legacy. I was contemplating retirement at the age of 52 (at the time) and considering how my life would evolve post retirement. As I evaluated my life (the past and the eventual future), I begrudgingly realized that I hadn’t fully leveraged my accomplishments. My legacy was incomplete.
In early 2022, the contemplating and the reflecting were over. I had clarity. I was ready for a future that involved exposure. I was no longer going to shy away from the spotlight. In comes Victoria Worship, dear friend and Board Chairman for Girl Power Rocks. How ironic it was that Girl Power Rocks, an organization that helps young girls reach their potential, would be the transformative power that changed my life at the age of 52. After Victoria convinced me to join the Board of Directors, I attended the Legacy Magazine Gala hosted by MIA Media Group where Victoria was being honored. She whispered in my ear, “Mark my words, you will be on this stage next year.” By that time, I was already a business unit President running a $70 million business for my company. But I had not made networking and exposure a part of my recipe for success as I climbed the corporate ladder.
A year later, Victoria’s prediction became a reality. Dexter Bridgeman and MIA Media Group plucked me out of the four walls of Convey Health Solutions and shined a bright light on me. Their awards and recognitions have been numerous, but beyond that, their exposure has allowed me to live out childhood dreams of being a fashion model and a columnist. Since being recognized on the cover of Legacy Magazine, I have welcomed the spotlight and the opportunities to share my experiences as a woman navigating family and career. The more I speak and expose myself to new audiences, the more opportunities I’m given to share my experiences. My titles have expanded beyond wife, mother, and executive. My new titles now include philanthropist, woman of the year, corporate executive of the year, Grand Marshal, Black America’s Best, columnist, author, fashion model, and chief operating officer. Without my friends helping me recognize the power of exposure, I may still be hiding behind the four walls of my company. I am confident that there are more titles to come as my life continues to evolve.
If you’re struggling with transforming your life or taking your career to the next level, here are a few tips to consider:
- Take a leap of faith and trust God’s vision for your life.
- Be vulnerable and tell your stories, even the embarrassing ones – your experiences matter.
- Build relationships outside of the four walls of your company.
- Be intentional about building your legacy.
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This article was originally posted in Legacy Magazine – Healthcare Issue – December 17, 2023
