As my kids grow up I recognize now more than ever that I am trading my time with them for my time at work, and I definitely stay up at night assessing the balance of what I need to be the best version of myself and wanting to be there for my kids through the times they want and need me there.

The failures (or setbacks) were only temporary chapters to push me forward and have opened so many other doors.

How a person treats you is a reflection of how they feel about themselves rather than how they feel about you. Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so be kind. 

A past supervisor told me that “every day is orientation.” This phrase reminds me to approach every day with a sense of curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn.

Many communities have similar barriers and the only way those can be broken down is by coming together with a common goal, understanding, and respect. 

I haven’t always been like this, and I worked really hard to get here. I am a survivor of domestic violence and I am coming up on six years clean from heroin.

As an adult, I believe that it has been to believe in myself and the calling God has placed in my life. To see me as he sees me... worthy! 

I want to be more committed to spending my life investing in the people and the things I love instead of my work life. 

My biggest obstacle so far in life is one that unfortunately many other women can relate to. Trying to conceive has been a huge struggle for us, and this has caused a lot of pain and confusion. 

I’ve experienced trauma, made my own mistakes, been someone I don’t want to be, and seen people make mistakes I work daily to avoid. Likewise, I’ve learned lessons, healed, evolved, and succeeded.

I was instrumental in starting the Parent Partner program in OK County and I wrote a Parent Guardian handbook that is used in courthouses around the state to help parents familiarize themselves with the system.

Be present. There is nothing in our life that we can control more than the way we show up in a space and how we interact with the people around us.

My mom has been a big influence in my life. I am one of five kids, and the things my mom did for us when we were young helped shape who I am today. She helped me find my passions and encouraged me when I needed it most. 

I try not to let anything keep me up at night – even though it happens on occasion. Over time, I have learned that the things I lose sleep over are never as significant the next day. 

The single biggest problem in my community that I’d like to solve is being solved right now with the founding and opening of my school: Proud To Partner Leadership Academy. 

At first, I thought I’d talk about being a teen mom, but really, the hardest thing has been moving on after losing my baby sister. It’s been eight years, but the sadness is still there. 

Embracing consistency and incremental progress has become a cornerstone of my success, enabling me to achieve meaningful results and continuous improvement 

Juggling a demanding career, personal growth, and family responsibilities can be challenging, but it has also taught me valuable lessons about time management and prioritization. 

I feel an incredible amount of pressure to provide for my children in a big way and create a legacy for them that sets them up for future success. I want to create more opportunities for them than I had so they can truly create their dream lives.

I’ve learned through the years that the fear of failure is actually worse than failure itself.