CatchUp - Virginia Dean

This month’s CatchUp is with our superstar mom, Virginia, an HR executive/consultant specializing in leadership development! Virginia is currently working with MomUp’s client, AbleTo, a virtual behavioral healthcare company based in NY.

Alright, Virginia, 5 questions for you and GO…

1. What excites and inspires you about your work?

I love helping organizations grow and develop. I’ve spent most of my career designing HR programs that are both scalable and sustainable. I also love helping leaders become better. Watching a leader develop and get results from this work is really inspiring.

2. Proudest Work Moment

When one of my coaching clients was promoted to CEO.

3. Hardest Work Moment

Getting terminated from a role during a really, really hard time in my life – I was going through an awful divorce, I was parenting two young boys, and work was crazy. I let my key work relationships get away from me and they eroded. Ultimately, I was let go. This was devastating, but also renewing because it forced me to take a step back and look at what I was actually doing. What was so hard about this (other than being fired) was that the mistakes I made could have been avoided had I had the benefit of a coach or mentor. I didn’t then, but sought one out and it made a huge difference in my life. I was able to shift how I respond to stressors and changed my life. This also made me vow to myself that I will also mentor younger women, especially working moms, because we need all the support and help we can get and I don’t want others to experience the pain I did if they can avoid it.

4. Suggestions for balancing home and work

Get really good a time management, know exactly what you own and focus on those priorities, don’t take on the work of others just to be nice or to help out.

5. What is keeping you going during these challenging times?

Knowing that it has to get better.

BONUS QUESTION – How did MomUp help you?

JUST TO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN ORGANIZATION OUT THERE TRYING TO HELP WORKING MOTHERS IS INSPIRING AND IT GAVE ME FAITH AGAIN.