Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

I worked with so many courageous and amazing counselors, therapists, mental health, and other healthcare professionals for more than 25 years who worked so hard to help and heal others that they lost themselves in the process. They are my inspiration. My coaching and retreat business is dedicated to helping them learn how to heal from residual exposure to prolonged stress & secondary trauma. My person-centered approach meets these valuable professional where they are.

How do you stay motivated?

I experienced the devastating effects of burnout after working in high stress environments to develop effective substance treatment programs following the death of my 15-year-old daughter who was killed in an accident caused by an impaired driver. Making changes when needed to be able to continue to serve and save lives is my motivation. I want to help others do the same by helping them make changes in their mindsets and potentially changing careers when needed.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would like to begin a nationwide solution-focused campaign to acknowledge & support this epidemic level problem. The devastating effects of professional burnout are far-reaching and contribute to severe health, mental health issues, loss of income & staff turnover. I will build a coaching practice & retreat venue for individual/group coaching and staff retreats to address this issue, brainstorm solutions to reduce stress and create a culture of wellness that reduce risk factors.