Curating Career Life Stories: How did I get here?

Join me for the career reflections of Daphne Bernicker, emotional intelligence expert and Vistage chair. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Daphne’s multicultural upbringing shaped her appreciation for diverse perspectives. Initially drawn to psychology, she pivoted to finance, earning an MBA and landing roles at two Fortune 100 companies. After a decade-long break as a stay-at-home mom, she re-entered the workforce, eventually discovering her passion for coaching. Through continuous learning and collaboration with emotional intelligence leaders, she developed innovative tools and now empowers high-integrity leaders to excel and uplift others. What’s served Daphne best, two things: 1) being tenacious and thinking things are going to turn out well, and 2) being creative, finding a solution or different perspective to advance a situation. Words of wisdom that impacted her start with a quote from her mom: “Bloom where you’re planted” inspiring her to create one of her rules “Being comfortable in my own skin wherever I am, deciding I belong wherever I am!”

Join me for the career reflections of Ilya Lyubimskiy, managing attorney at Premier Legacy Law. Born in Russia, Ilya moves to Colorado at age eight when his parents sought to maximize the opportunities available in the United States. Challenged with learning a new language and cultural norms, he’s also driven by his parents' high expectations, taking IB and AP classes throughout high school. Inspired by the TV series Law & Order, Ilya set his sights on law school with the goal of becoming a prosecutor. As an undergraduate, he chooses to major in accounting as a practical "Plan B." His first professional experience was as an auditor for a federal agency, where he was required to obtain a CPA license. He earns his CPA while balancing his job and studying for the LSAT. His accounting career then funds his legal education. Eventually, he transitions to legal internships, culminating in his dream job as a prosecutor in Adams County. After five years the relentless workload and the emotional toll of working with people during their most difficult times began to wear on him. Through careful reflection and research, Ilya decides to shift his focus to estate planning. He starts this new chapter at an established firm, where he honed his skills, ultimately leading him to establish his own firm, Premier Legacy Law. What’s served Ilya best is being able to adapt and working hard. Words of wisdom that impacted him are from a role model and mentor who was a judge and US Attorney. She talked about not letting your self-doubt get in the way, causing him to question: “Why am I putting these artificial ceilings up for myself – I have to get out of my own way.”

Join me for the career reflections of TJ Hovel, sales executive, and coach. At the young age of 8 TJ knew he wanted to be a coach in a small town, just like his dad, who coached TJ in high school. Even though school wasn’t his thing, he earns a business degree and starts his own trucking business. After running it for 8 years, the 100-hour work-weeks leave little room for coaching, or anything else. He makes an aggressive life change -- sells his business, house, and car; gets divorced; and then couch surfs for a year while earning an associate degree in physical therapy. For about 3-4 years TJ loves being a PT. However, he can’t shake the call to coach and starts seeing a limiting future as a PT. After talking to a friend about what he really wants to do, the friend connects him to a coaching gig – 8th grade basketball! It’s a great start, where he makes valuable connections. Another friend connects him to a technology owner who is so impressed by “who” he is (values, work ethic, ability to transfer skills, etc.) that she makes an offer after 48 hours of meeting him.   Today, he's livin’ the dream! Doing work he loves that’s flexible for his lifestyle as a dad, strongman competitor, physical fitness trainer and coach of an elite high school basketball program! What’s served TJ best, two things: 1) “Hard work and discipline. Growing up on a farm I understand how the world works, how you have to put in a whole lot of hard work before results are seen.” 2) “If you know what your path looks like and you want something different, you have to do things differently or you will get the same results you’ve always gotten.” His words of wisdom: “If you can really understand yourself -- understand what drives you both good and bad – and understand what you ACTUALLY want -- not what you THINK it is you want -- but what you ACTUALLY want to do with your life, then you can make the decision and start taking steps to move forward.”

Join me for the career reflections of Carlene Thissen, singer, songwriter & author. Her dream is to become a doctor, but then discovers she has an aversion to blood. Unsure about what’s next, she drops out of college and gets a job as a secretary. Working as a secretary, and wanting to do more within the business, she becomes an expert in coupon bar code scanning. Leading her to bigger roles and ultimately to starting her own consulting business. Music has always been part of her life, but she never thought of it as a career until much later in life. After a successful 35-year corporate career, she leaves it all behind and begins searching for what’s next. As someone who pays attention to signs, she discovers new opportunities prompting her to write her first book and song. And the rest is history. What’s served Carlene best is: “My ballsiness!” Her words of wisdom she’s got three: 1)  "Be Useful." -- A quote she likes from Arnold Schwarzenegger's documentary and book title. 2) “Do what comes easy.” 3) “Watch for signs.”

Join me for the career reflections of Shara Ruffin, clinical social worker, and consultant. Her dream is to be the next Mariah Carey, once reality sets in she shifts to becoming a lawyer, then to psychology and ultimately social work -- because what's behind human behavior is so interesting! She’s the first born in her family, setting her on path of more firsts: first to go to college and graduate, first to get a master’s degree, first to get a professional license and first to launch her own business. Her’s is story overcoming far too many of life’s major challenges: the death of a child and a brother, her second child diagnosed with only months to live, divorce, poverty, coming to grips with her own depression and mental health issues. What’s served Shara best is: “My willingness to adapt, remain flexible and have faith -- which was hard. I always kept going, I never looked back. No matter what bomb was going on in my life – every hardship is to teach you something.” Her words of wisdom she’s got three: 1) “She quotes a story from Will Smith’s memoir about building a wall ‘brick by brick’ – it’s not thinking about the whole wall; it’s thinking about one brick at a time.” 2) “Know that you’re not perfect, be willing to make mistakes and take chances.” 3) “Live every day, not like it’s your last day, like you are proud you lived it.”

Join me for the career reflections of Christine Clyne-Spraker, former co-CEO, board member and author. Her dream was to become a civil engineer, but after receiving a “C” in calculus she panics and switches her major to advertising. A bold move after college takes her to California where she’s recruited by Enterprise Rent-A-Car into their management and sales training program. Which turns out to be a great fit, setting her up with skills she’ll leverage throughout her career. She’s drawn back to Colorado and at the urging of her dad, starts exploring the pharmaceutical industry which leads her into selling medical and surgical devices. Through her intense preparation and training, she becomes a trusted advisor in the industry. This is also where she meets her business partner. What’s served Christine best? Three things: optimism, tenacity and naiveite. She credits her naiveite to not always knowing what she was getting into, she just jumps in; her optimism for knowing that things will work out for the best no matter what; and her tenacity to get through anything. It’s a recipe that’s worked well for her! Christine’s words of wisdom are words from her dad: “A job worth doing is worth doing well.”

Join me for the career reflections of Amy Friel, program leader at a health tech start-up. Growing up in Detroit in the 70s & 80s she experiences the impact that both Japan and China have on the global economy, the car industry, and her family. These influences factor into her career choices. In grad school she earns dual degrees, her MBA and a masters in Asian Studies. She meets her husband in grad school who is also pursuing similar dual degrees. Both share the desire to work in Asia, which they achieve after a few career steps working for international companies in the US.  What’s served Amy best is her player/coach approach; she becomes a subject matter expert herself and then facilitates excellence in others nurturing their talents so they can do their best work. Her words of wisdom: “Don’t worry about ticking what you think are all the right boxes, think about being evaluated as a whole person, not just line items on a resume.”

Join me for the career reflections of Susie Moss, Regional Director of Development for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Mountain States Region. While she didn’t always know her career path, she did know she was someone who needed to be engaged and connecting with people. In college the realization hits her that she is good at sales, which was also her dad’s career, another positive indicator this would be a good path for her. Susie is not one to shy away from risk or challenges. After 25 years in corporate sales roles, she and her husband bought into an interior design franchise. New career paths for both and great timing for their family situation, but bad timing for the economy. This journey leads her to a series of steps landing her where she is today – in the right job for a cause she believes wholeheartedly in! What’s served Susie best: “my gut instincts -- when making career decisions and as a parent.” Words of wisdom, she’s got two sets: 1.  “Do unto others as you would have done unto you.” 2.  “When you’re at a bad point in life, you need to ask for help."

Join me for the career reflections of Karl Peters, creative director & designer of Bluebird Branding. In the fifth grade his design for the cover of the class directory is the top pick! As a result, he knows that this is exactly what he’d like to continue doing but he didn’t know what it was called -- until he’s introduced to commercial art and graphic design classes in high school and college. He sees himself as creative versus artistic and as a problem solver. Someone who helps solve strategic client problems with words, visuals and video/sound. Self-described as a brand loyalist, he’s only worked for four companies in his career and each one prepared him for the next and ultimately where he is now – partner at a branding firm. What’s served Karl best: “I don’t cry over spilt milk. I move on and don’t get too frustrated; I move on in a positive way.” Words of wisdom, he’s got two sets: “I never tell my kids ‘Good luck’ if they’ve got a test or game. I believe in hard work not luck. My encouragement to them is usually something like: 'work hard and have a great game!' ." Quote from Arthur Ash: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Then he adds: “There’s no crying over spilt milk. This isn’t ideal but we’ll get out of it.”

Join me for the career reflections of Jervis DiCicco, co-founder & CEO of ProsperBridge. At a young age he’s fascinated by the stock market and investments because both his dad and stepdad are in the financial industry.   But he’s bored with his econ class in high school, so focuses his college courses on international relations and theater, earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major in political science and theater. His love for the theater and writing (plus a girlfriend) draws him to LA doing temp work while writing a screen play. He describes these early years as going where the wind takes him. Once marriage is on the horizon and the possibly of starting a family, he decides he needs a career with strong earning potential, pointing him back to the financial industry. It’s not easy getting a start, but he finds the right opportunity where his hard work pays off. Unfortunately, the 2008-09 financial crisis hits causing the bottom to fall out of his market. Within one year his income is down 80%, his wife leaves him, and his dad dies. His faith, finding his purpose and collaborating with friends are what get him through this super low point. Applying what he learned from these experiences and continuing to learn and collaborate, he’s now living his purpose leading ProsperBridge What’s served Jervis best: collaboration & self-awareness. His words of wisdom: “Find what really activates your passion. What, based on your core values, do you want to go fix?”