I would not be where I am in my own career if not for the encouragement and support of women along the way. The conference is important to me because knowledge sharing is essential to growth. Personal growth and professional growth. There is nothing more disheartening than reaching out to receive mentorship or guidance and being shut down because the person one looks up to does not want to share their experiences with others. For shame. So, this conference is an opportunity to share knowledge with those that want to excel in their professional life and/or personal life, with the acknowledgement that it will be paid forward. 

There are so many ways one can succeed in a career and each pathway is different. There is beauty in those differences and the conference is an opportunity to learn from those that have met and broken through challenges to create opportunities.

When I'm faced with a barrier I do one of five things:

1. Look to the left...if that doesn't work, then

2. Look to the right...if that doesn't work, then

3. Look up or,

4. Look down...if none of those options work...

5. I'm going to bust right through that barrier heading towards success.

The only one who can stop you from succeeding is you.