What inspires you?
Seeking sick people in our community get well naturally. – Dr. Clare Stewart
People. I am a people person. I especially care about at-risk children and want to improve their lives and
make their futures brighter. I always fight for the underdog and for those without a voice. Creating and
implementing new programs also inspires and encourages me. I love to find different but effective
methods to meet the needs of the students and families I serve – Pat Conner
Leaders who think outside the box and are honest and transparent. – PJ Davis
Seeing employees grow as a result of mentoring/nurturing. I think my mentoring is a very important
aspect of one’s career. – Debbie Gryszko
Someone who is intelligent and knowledgeable in their field and passionate about change and
improvement.
Learning new things.
Positive People
Honesty
Going to rehab treatment for two weeks and seeing a physical therapist, three RN’s and 1 LPN that I was
able to assist with college training through my work. All graduates and having life time careers.
Seeing people with less appreciate the most in little things.
People’s capacity for kindness and compassion.
Fulfilling your dream!
When I listen to a talk, the speaker is confident. I learn one thing that I could change my day. I’m
inspired to share.
I’m inspired by energetic people.
Creative people, people who think outside the box.
When I see someone doing something for others when they expect nothing in return.
Money
My mother and family
Dark chocolate and helping others.
Women that know what they want and go for it…confident-determined-bold women.
Helping people and making a difference every day.
Giving back and people who give back.
Helping others succeed.
Seeing people do kind things for others.
Passion mixed with strong morals and ethics.
The kids with whom I work. They are a promise of a better tomorrow.
Someone who builds a business from nothing and it flourishes.
Winning
Accomplishment – The feeling I get every time I finish a task and move onto another.
Getting it right!
Strong women who are not afraid to embrace their femininity.
Making a difference impacting people.
What leadership qualities do you admire?
Boldness for the truth, service above self and those who lead in a Christ – like manner. – Dr. Clare
Stewart
Integrity. If a person has integrity you can work through all other issues. - Debbie Gryszko
Fairness – in their interaction with peers and all who are involved in the non-profit world. Perseverance
– in the face of adversity, when working tirelessly for a cause in which they believe. Generosity – in
sharing their resources and knowledge so they might empower others to become stronger leaders. – PJ
Davis
Leaders that encourage creativity and risk taking in their employees. I am also inspired by the vision of
good leaders. If I truly believe in someone’s vision I will follow them. – Pat Conner
An encourager with integrity.
I admire a leader with charisma who is knowledgeable and can speak clearly and who can inspire others
by her passion.
Someone with a sense of humor – doesn’t take herself too seriously but get the job done.
Relentlessness!
Someone who is comfortable with themselves, confident in their abilities, and genuine in their concern
for others.
Vision, Courage and Empathy.
Honesty and a great listener.
Knowledge and empathy.
Honesty, togetherness and faithfulness.
Listening.
Honesty – Standing up for what you believe in – Coaching and mentoring qualities – Mentoring others
Teacher – Listening – Not a micro-manager
Honesty, integrity and commitment to success
Empowerment – Vision – Follow through
Selflessness – Don’t ask others what you won’t do yourself – Leader by example – Understanding – Open
Minded – Empowering others
A good leader is passionate about what they do, considerate and can admit when they don’t know
something.
The ability to lead others to success and accomplish their goals.
Strength – Perseverance – Someone that is real and genuine.
Ability to listen and be self aware of gaps and strengths, and share.
Honesty, hard work, compassion, growth, no regrets! Stepping out of your comfort zone.
Ability to create work.
One who has the ability to be passionate and drive about their work, while showing compassion to those
that work for them. “My boss always says not everything has to suck.”
Competence – Honesty- Relentless
Educators – Those who teach you what they know patiently and because they want you to grow.
Leads by example
I admire strong leaders who are honest but helpful.
Listen to all sides and is fair.
Honesty – Confidence
Supportive – Approachable – Empathetic
Honesty – Ethical practices – Personal accountability
Integrity
Decisiveness – Innovation – Fearlessness
Honesty – Kindness in leadership.
Tenacious
Vision – Enthusiasm – Building up team around them to be stronger
Trustworthiness.
What professional challenges do you face?
This is a time of transition for me. I worked in Sumner County schools for 27 years and have now taken a
job with the State of TN Department of Education. It was difficult leaving a place I called “home” and not
too many years from retirement. It has been a challenge navigating new waters but it has brought
adventure and a chance to expand my expertise to a higher level. –Pat Conner
Trying to get the real issue of the problem you are trying to solve. Finding those solutions is very
satisfying, but a lot of times you have to wade through the fluff. Another major challenge is trying to
balance the “hats” that we wear. As women, we all know that we have many roles both personally and
professionally and it is always a challenge to keep a good balance. –Debbie Gryszko
Among the various professional challenges I have faced over the years, the greatest has been finding
staff and volunteers who have the same heart and passion as I have to properly serve our community. –
PJ Davis
Balancing my professional career with my family life. Owning a family practice with my husband as my
co-worker, all in one moment my roles will blend together and leave no room for separation-- a
chiropractor, wife, new mother, business-owner, employer, and mentor. –Dr. Clare Stewart
Not enough time in the day!
Finding time to grow revenue, my team and remember that I too need to take time for myself and
continue to grow.
Employees having the same focus for our goals.
A great big learning curve.
Not enough time to get everything done!
Experience. Age.
Often I’m the only woman at the table. Balancing woman thought process vs man’s world. Empowering
– is often easy to say but the empowered must believe in themselves and you can’t teach self-view.
Going back to school and achieving A’s plus keeping A quality at work.
Work-family balance. Trying to have the energy after work to spend time with family and make them
feel loved/important.
Work-life balance.
Balancing family and work.
Being the little fish in a big pond. Gaining the trust of clientele as a small business competing with larger
corporations.
Always older jealous women undermining!
Meeting accounting deadlines!
Hiring the right people and having everyone share in the same visions.
Continuing education while working.
Small fish – big pond theory.
Time management.
Being the only one of my race in my circle and sometimes needing some encouragement when the walls
are up.
The ability to be able to grow and move forward in a company that is mostly geared toward men.
Balancing the hours and demands while being a single mom.
Managing the options and opportunities of networking.
Staying in the moment.
Knowing what path to take next.
Growing…with all the changes in the different generations how to keep up with advertising, etc.
Brand new business to receive clients and marketing.
What is your greatest professional achievement and what did you learn from it?
Becoming a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic in TN. It has taught me that working hard and being on
purpose will pay off-- certainly when you can utilize your career to impact others’ lives for God's glory. –
Dr. Clare Stewart
My greatest professional achievement is to have been a part of the formation of our office in London.
We brought the two leaders in the hotel benchmarking arena in London together in 2008 to form STR
Global. We are a long way from being where we need to be, but to have seen this come to fruition and
to experience the growth during the last 5 years has been amazing! The main thing I have learned from
this is that no matter how surmounting a task may seem, with determination and teamwork you can
make it happen! –Debbie Gryszko
Starting the Office of Safe Schools, Healthy Students from scratch is my greatest professional
achievement. Over the course of my work in Sumner County my department received over 23 million in
grants and donations to provide a wide variety of educational prevention and intervention programs in
Sumner County. And, knowing that that legacy will continue. –Pat Conner
By far my greatest professional achievement has been the development of the Shalom Zone/Union High
Resource Center, where 14 agencies are housed and where we host many programs for the betterment
of the lives of those we serve. From this accomplishment I have learned that the impossible dream IS
possible! –PJ Davis
Taking a leap of faith to start my own business 10 years ago and helping businesses become profitable.
I became the Community Relations Manager and I learned the art of networking, planning and thinking
more strategically.
I have started in a financial institution from the very bottom and learned every area of Bank Operations.
Today I manage a Retail Branch and I am able to cover every area. Becoming more valuable to my
institution and also able to teach others.
Being a working mom and learning to fly! (Figuratively speaking!)
Achieving the goal set for the company. I learn that goal setting, with visualization and planning is very
important.
In-state fundraiser for Senator Fred Thompson. 300 person sit down breakfast with Charlton Heston.
Taking an internship abroad. How to work in very different atmospheres.
Opening a metals distribution plant and hiring the right people.
Buying and running a business. I did not seek to run a business. “Someone” bought it for me. 15 years
later, I did it and glad I did!
Being known and respected in my industry and community.
Similar on product/bid – won it. “Stick-to-it-tiveness”. Won account and had it for 12 years. Continuing
to prove they made the right decision.
Starting my own business and still being in business for 10 years. I learned that you need grit to survive
and to never quit no matter how hard it may be.
Managing to be a single mom and finding a balance that lets me be my best in both arenas. I’ve learned
a lot about time management!
Being chosen to travel to India to train. I learned so much about not only their culture but how they
conduct business and training styles.
Becoming VP within a National Brand and being able to mentor, engage and grow my team. Watching
their self-awareness grow and want to continue to better themselves/level up. Makes me know I am in
the right place.
1,000,000.00 in sales last year.
Forming a team (business) that has lasted 45 years.
It is still in the future: Keep learning and growing!
Returning for my MBA @ Kellogg. I realized I knew more than I gave myself credit for. Changes your
confidence and view on approaching new challenges.
Starting my own business is my greatest professional achievement. I’ve learned to always take a chance,
always try something even when there is doubt.
Starting a small business that is successful – learned that you can do it if you don’t let fear control you!
Growing STR
Becoming the editor of the Hendersonville Standard and falling in love with this community.
Leading a biz for over 35 years with 3 partners.
Developing Coupontagious.com. Shop local!
Masters degree!