My mission in life always has been about helping others. In my day-to-day life, I would regularly find small moments in the community or within my workplace to practice random acts of kindness. These moments have always brought meaning to my life and great purpose to my work. However, after my layoff from a biotechnology company following a Phase 2 clinical trial failure, I was left with the looming question “What is next for me?” 

I could have easily stayed working in my comfortable profession within Investor Relations and Corporate Communications where I had been working in the financial and healthcare industries for over 15 years. But during this time of personal reflection, I had to determine if staying in corporate was just me “taking the easy way out” or if I was even happy with my current life and living out my true purpose. 

I had an exciting career having risen from entry level to manager, to director, to senior director and all the way to Vice President working closely with a CEO and CFO. I spent much of my time working on strategic communications and messaging, company presentations, and speaking with company shareholders and prospects. I also worked regularly with other senior management, cross functional teams, business colleagues, scientists, and a variety of Wall Street professionals. I often engaged in problem solving, raised potential within teams, created more effective organizational communication, and assisted with employee conflict and crisis management.   

The experience I gained during my corporate years was immeasurable. However, I had reached a point in my career where I wanted something new and more exciting. I wanted my next career pivot to speak to my purpose.