What have you accomplished in your professional life/career since your 40 Under 40 selection?
Our Lives is now in its 13th year publishing, is undertaking a statewide expansion, and establishing a nonprofit foundation. In 2019, my work with the Madison Gay Hockey Association (MGHA) won the recognition of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the MGHA surpassed Toronto to become the biggest gay hockey league in the world. The NHL has also been working with me on an overhaul of its diversity and inclusion efforts.
What accomplishments, milestones, or endeavors have you attained in your personal life since your 40 Under 40 selection?
I married my husband, Sedrick, immediately after Wisconsin’s ban on same sex marriage was struck down in 2014.
If you were to “do it all over again,” what (if anything) would you do differently throughout your career?
I’m not sure, to be candid. I think with hindsight I possibly would have made a few different decisions, but ultimately the experiences I’ve had built a foundation that has allowed me to enrich thousands of lives through my work. That’s been the gift of a lifetime.
How did your 40 Under 40 selection help your career?
In Madison, more so than other cities I’ve lived in, the adage “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is incredibly true. Of course, you need to know what you’re trying to do and how to do it, but this community needs to know who you are, too, to earn their trust. Being recognized by community institutions goes a long way in helping to establish that trust and credibility.
Based on your experience, do you have any advice for today’s young professionals (under 40)?
The people saying it can’t be done are getting passed by the people doing it. Trust your vision and your gut. At the very least, what you’re trying to do will provide you one hell of a learning experience.
Click here to sign up for the free IB ezine — your twice-weekly resource for local business news, analysis, voices, and the names you need to know. If you are not already a subscriber to In Business magazine, be sure to sign up for our monthly print edition here.
