WithinVision – the Personal Story
My plan to become a psychologist began in the second grade when I asked my teacher who the woman was that visited our school two afternoons a week. She told me she was a person who helped kids by talking to them about what was important to them. Although I almost decided to become a professional violinist, I returned to my intention by undergraduate school, and it was the right choice. I care passionately about this work because I know that my talks and meetings have made a difference for people.
My first opportunity as a psychologist was to work in an academic medical center. I remember the elation I felt the day I walked into Northwestern University Medical School and Hospital as clinical faculty in a specialty clinic for medically fragile children. I learned about the pain people face when life requires more of them than they had planned, and solidified a lifetime commitment to human growth and development.
Ten years later, I joined a mental health practice so that I could eliminate a 30 mile commute. (Yes, life was still a juggle.) I learned more about the about the complexities of managing work and family. No one seemed to feel that they measured up to the requirements of their roles, and the consequences showed up in their accomplishments, confidence, and physical and relational health.
People seemed to be spending more time at work and stress, burnout and role strain were increasing. I decided to learn about the workplace. It seemed clear that thoughtful, confident and diverse leadership could benefit all stakeholders – from the boardroom to the team at home.
High functioning leaders and their work families are crucial to both the economic and moral health of our culture. And so, I founded WithinVision in 2006.
Within a couple years, I got a call from a CEO who wanted to examine his leadership. He wanted to be a create a culture that served women, men, children and stakeholders. He was clearly interested in moral leadership and healthy relationships. I couldn’t believe what I heard, and almost refused the request in a moment of “imposter syndrome”. This partnership expanded my work to the C-Suite, and the long-term determination to support leadership growth and transformation in personal and professional life.