LIKE A BOSS…REB3L Groove Instructor Winner of the Top 40 under 40 by Denver Business Journal

Being awarded the title of Top 40 under 40 by Denver Business Journal has been one of the highest accomplishments that I have been given! As part of the winning process, I have had to do several panel interviews and one of the first questions I was asked was, “What is your why.” My response was, “To be a role model for my daughters and show them what strong powerful women can do." "At the end of my journey, I would consider myself successful if I am able to raise strong independent women and for my daughters to know they can do/be anything they want to be.”

 All of my life I have been focused on my career. When I was younger, my long-term goal was to be a CEO of a hospital. Once I graduated college, I knew that in order to be the boss I wanted to be, I had to obtain my master’s degree. So, at the age of 27, I graduated with my MBA in Healthcare Management. In my career between my 20s and 30s, I have always worked more than 40 hours a week until having children. Once I had my first daughter I knew I could not go back full-time. So, I decided to slow down my career and take time being a mother. This was one of the best decisions I have ever made. While I was so happy to be with my daughter all day, I started to feel that I was losing part of myself as a woman. Finding time for yourself as a mom is difficult, especially in those early years. I was struggling with making time for myself, so decided that I needed to find a gym that had childcare. I was looking for something new to lose myself in, and boy, did REB3L rock my world. I remember the first class I took. I felt so silly not knowing what I was doing, but I knew that the class sparked something in me that I had been searching for. I was truly hooked after my first class, and that was just the start! The community that I found with REB3L has helped me to become a better mom, dancer, instructor and leader that I am today. 

I know the value and importance in making time for yourself, and that is what REB3L does for me. During my full-time job, I am a Vice President for HCA Healthcare in Denver, CO. With the title comes a large amount of stress and responsibility. My outlet is being a part-time REB3L Groove instructor at VASA in Littleton on Saturday mornings. This is the one time in my week I don’t have to think about managing employees, balancing budgets, contract negotiation, etc. and I am allowed to let loose and lead my class for an hour of high energy dancing. I leave my Saturday workout feeling energized and empowered to take on another week of being a leader, mom, wife and the boss bitch that I am! 

Women need other women in their lives who think they are a big deal. No competition, no jealousy, no hate, just support. I feel that our community is this for me and am so grateful I have my group of strong women cheering me on. The friendships that I have made in REB3L are life-long and feel so grateful to be able to give REB3L some of the much-deserved recognition in my award ceremony. Thank you to all of those that support me in our community and I can’t wait to support you all in your achievements!