At one of my very first networking events, I was a little nervous. I was standing in the back and staying to myself. This amazing woman came up to me and introduced herself. She asked me if this was my first event and I said yes. She then took me around the room and introduced me to everyone she knew. I got more than ten business cards and then she explained to me that after the event I needed to email or call all of them to schedule a meeting to talk separately. She explained that would make me successful and that is what networking is all about. Now I do that to everyone that I see that may need help learning to network.

I am an active board member and the former board Chair of United Way. I am also on the board of Hospice of Southern Illinois. In the past, I have been on the board of Junior Achievement.