I once learned a Latin phrase which, I think, epitomizes much of my life: “Vincere est pervincere detrimentos”: “Success is to overcome adversity.” I started walking at eight months of age (skipped crawling altogether) and this became a precursor of my personal and professional life: unusual achievements, early maturity, and a life filled with surprising events.When I was a middle school student, my family was homeless, but it never deterred me from being a great student and citizen. I excelled in high school, taking numerous advanced placement courses. I then entered college at sixteen and eventually received my Bachelor’s degree, MBA and MFA.My professional career, much like my younger life, was full of twists, turns, challenges and triumphs. I began as a consultant with Accenture and evolved my career to a revenue and strategy C-suite executive roles. During that time I successfully implemented complex initiatives, transformed organizations, solved knotty problems, and helped organizations increase their productivity and profits.I also developed as leader and have enjoyed connecting with my team members and helping them see possibilities, not limitations. I have never recognized personal barriers or impediments, and I instill this mentality in my team members. When we collectively imagine or believe in something, I have learned, it is accomplished.Difficult challenges build strength of character, tenacity, perseverance, and aspirations. Instead of seeing stumbling blocks, I saw stepping stones. I have never rationalized problems or ignored them; nor have I ever allowed myself to be overwhelmed by them. Perhaps another Latin adage would be a fitting close: “Ad astra per aspera”: “To the stars through difficulty.”