A childhood experience that continues to have an outsized impact on my approach to life is the guidance and support given to me by one of my teachers who believed that I could be successful. Not only did this teacher appreciate my strengths, but also pushed me to think critically and reach beyond where I felt comfortable, cultivating a growth mindset within my own education.
They trusted me at a time when I was eager to prove myself so they really instilled in me a sense of confidence and curiosity that still informs how I tackle challenges and opportunities to this day. It showed me what women-led transformation sounded like, and how much one person can influence the overarching narrative simply by believing in the people around them—even when those people don’t believe in themselves. Since that experience, it has become an integral part of how I live my life, how I interact with others, and how I lead — always looking for ways to inspire others and lift them up.