My childhood summers were spent working on a farm in Kentucky. My dad would wake me up before sunrise to pick sweet corn so we could get done before the hottest part of the day. We also had to beat the early risers who waited at my grandma's house to get first pick of the haul. Grandma would split the profit evenly among her four granddaughters, and I used my share to buy my first car and pay for a trip to Spain in high school. I share this story to illustrate that I developed a strong work ethic and learned the value of hard-earned money early in life.I intentionally make connections between my past experiences and my strongest skills. For instance, as a park guide at Mammoth Cave National Park, I was able to sharpen presentation and public speaking skills while using environmental interpretation to make my tours entertaining and educational for visitors. This opportunity led to a successful defense of my thesis in graduate school, numerous professional presentations, and consulting opportunities. I’ve also taught college-level classes both in person and online, so the ability to clearly communicate has served me well. In my first professional job I was micromanaged and it was…bad. Not only did I learn the importance of self-care and balance during that experience, I learned what type of leader I did not want to be. Delegating is a skill that is difficult to master, but I can confidently say as a supervisor I provide the training and resources for my team members to be successful. I allow each of them to shine as individuals, which in turn boosts the team's overall morale. Therefore, delegating tasks to them is important to not only my growth as a supervisor but to their breadth of experience, as well. In my current role, I use my strengths in interpersonal communication, attention to detail, and customer service to help faculty, staff, and students plan successful events in our student union. I started working in unions 11 years ago and have enjoyed building community on the two campuses where I’ve worked professionally. Outside of work, I love to spend time with family, get outdoors, cook, bake, and entertain friends. I’m grateful for all of the experiences that have led me to this point and am hungry for more!