Breaking Barriers: A Journey of Professional Growth

Originally published on Principal.com

I started out with a challenging past, limited resources, and big dreams. My journey at Principal® has taught me that professional growth is less about achieving milestones on a prescribed path and more about channeling personal strengths. 

Here, the door is open to do so. 

A culture of accessible leadership 

My journey began with a chance encounter. I met a Principal Vice President while working at a careers fair, and we really hit it off. As a near-graduate with plans already set, I wasn’t looking to apply to a sales development program (not my field at the time) at a company I hadn’t heard of. But the connection stuck with me, and I sent in my resume. 

The night before my final interviews, I attended a happy hour and met a leader who would become instrumental in my career. She took the time to have a candid conversation and address some personal concerns I’d shared. This wasn’t just a professional courtesy—it was another real connection. 

Later down the road, the Principal CEO accepted a meeting with me simply because I asked. 

The willingness to take care of employees has gone above and beyond. Truly. When I didn’t have housing as a new hire, a colleague went so far as to welcome me into his home. This is not part of our employee benefits; it would never be expected. His gesture changed things for me and formed a lifelong friendship.  

Owning what you bring to the table

There’s a stereotypical image of a financial sales professional—a persona I simply don’t fit. But that’s never been a problem here. Principal doesn’t need its sales people to conform; it needs us to connect. 

My mentors consistently reinforced this message: Be who you are, not who you think you should be. Your authenticity is your greatest professional asset. Instead of trying to fit a mold, I learned to tap into my own skills, my own communication style, my own way of building trust with clients. 

There have been plenty of times I’ve advocated to try something new or work toward change. It isn’t just tolerated, it’s celebrated. 

Creating your own opportunities 

I work remotely, which could be seen as a barrier to growth. But I’ve found plenty of opportunities and visibility by volunteering for cross-functional projects, reaching out with innovative ideas, and consistently demonstrating my commitment.  

Take for example my work with the LGBTQ+ employee resource group. By showing genuine commitment and proactively pitching some ideas for organizational change—like addressing marketing language to be more inclusive and highlighting the purchasing power of the LGBTQ+ community—I made both an impact and an impression. I even wound up presenting to the Principal board of directors. 

I also lead a Career Development Network pod, helping colleagues navigate their professional growth. It’s an opportunity on both sides of the table. So many leaders and mentors have invested in me, and it’s important to me to invest in others in return. 

I’ve gone from foster care to presenting in the boardroom, but my story isn’t about being an exception. It’s about demonstrating that with the right mindset and support, potential exists for anyone. 

When you show up authentically, work hard, and remain curious, there are no limits.  

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