Age: 36
Occupation: Founder and CEO, No Foot Too Small
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Be humble. Be kind. And always be vulnerable.
What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Despite my tendency to plan, perfect and obsess about every objective ahead of time, it’s okay to learn along the way.
How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life?
I strive to include my family in my work. For the first time, we added a child-friendly event to our NFTS calendar, allowing our children to celebrate and participate. We are juggling more than ever and flexibility is key.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support?
I would put every penny into our No Foot Too Small mission. Through NFTS, we work to celebrate the babies fought for and lost, communicate the reality and heartbreak of infant mortality and fund critical research to cure the abnormalities that threaten healthy pregnancies every single day. our partnership with the University of Iowa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology includes several initiatives, including building a labor and delivery suite designed specifically for families experiencing loss.
What book are you currently reading?
“Start Something That Matters” by Blake Mycoskie.
Who are your local mentors?
To name only three would be impossible. I am mentored, supported and encouraged daily by the men, women and families who surround me and share the NFTS mission. I am grateful for souls like Leighton Smith, director of client service at BerganKDV, who have stepped in to offer additional perspective.
