In college I swam competitively and double majored in studio art and economics. My love for competition and my diversity of interests has driven me to take on many different types of jobs. From instructing ski lessons in Canada to a PR position at a lobbying firm in DC, my early career was characterized by learning and growing as much as possible.

I later transitioned to working in the alumni office at the University of Mississippi, helping to foster alumni relationships. My next move was to Greenville, South Carolina with my husband, who had recently graduated from law school. I took a position at a financial institution, assisting in advertising and planning. Though the experience I was gaining was significant, I struggled to find passion, in all of my previous positions, for the industry I was a part of. Something was missing. This is where Coldwell Banker Caine entered my life.

When I became the Director of Marketing and Communications at Coldwell Banker Caine in 2010, I felt I had found the missing piece. The real estate industry is one that helps others with one of the most important things in life – finding home. At Caine I was able to help our staff, agents, and brand provide the best service possible. It was the perfect fit.

Six years passed in the blink of an eye, and despite the love I had for my job and company, I’d reached a place where I realized something had to give. Though my competitive and adventurous spirit welcomed the challenge of balancing family, work, friends, and hobbies, I lost track of my “why”. I was newly pregnant with our second child, my husband was traveling often for work, I was passionately pursuing a career in our growing office at Caine, and I was trying to maintain relationships with friends. Though I was in love with so many aspects of my life – I wasn’t in love with my lifestyle. I needed to make a tough decision in order to give my very best to the people in my life.

Ultimately, that decision was to leave Coldwell Banker Caine and explore a new role at a local marketing and public relations agency in Greenville. I seized an opportunity that I felt was the best move for my life at the time. I believe that often you only realize what it means to spread your wings when you make the decisions you know is right, even when it’s scary. I grew in new skills and understanding, while focusing on creating a lifestyle that served my family, friends, and myself.

Fast forward a year and a half, I was continuing to raise two healthy girls, my husband’s new job allowed him to be at home more often, and I had grown in my career. Despite the career change, my love for the Caine family and brand remained. When I was presented with the opportunity to rejoin Caine as the Chief Operating Officer, it felt right.

Now, as I hold that title, I’m able to do what I love – connect with others and create positive experiences for our brand and those who interact with it. I look back on the decisions, the easy ones and the hard ones that led me to my current career, and I’m thankful for the journey. As a woman in a leadership position, keeping my “why” in focus has allowed me to find the best kind of success. Growth in my career and prioritization of the most important things in life have presented incredible opportunities along the way.