The Leaders Who Saw Potential Before I Did

Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have mentors who changed the course of my future.

While many people focus on accomplishments, promotions, certifications, or degrees, I often find myself thinking about the people who helped make those achievements possible.

Two women in particular had a profound impact on both my personal and professional development: Kim Farrell and Cheri Mikita.

At different points in my life, each of them saw something in me before I fully saw it in myself.

Kim Farrell entered my life when I was still trying to figure out my future. Financial struggles had interrupted my education, and I was not always confident about where my path would lead. Kim became my manager, mentor, and friend. She encouraged me to continue my education and challenged me to pursue opportunities I might otherwise have avoided.

Because of her encouragement, I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management while working full-time.

Kim taught me the power of believing in someone.

Years later, another remarkable leader entered my life.

Her name was Cheri Mikita.

Cheri was my manager at United Healthcare Dental. From the beginning, she saw beyond my resume and beyond the specific requirements of the role I was applying for.

She understood something that many great leaders understand:

Skills can be taught.

Passion cannot.

Although I did not know everything about the role, I was eager to learn, grow, and contribute. Cheri recognized that potential and gave me the opportunity to develop it.

She consistently encouraged me, challenged me, and invested in my success.

More importantly, she introduced me to something that would significantly influence my career: Six Sigma.

Cheri was a Six Sigma Black Belt and had a deep understanding of process improvement methodologies. Long before I attended formal training, she took the time to teach me the concepts, explain the methodologies, and help me understand how process improvement could create meaningful change.

She saw my natural curiosity, my desire to solve problems and my tendency to ask one more question as strengths and she nurtured them.

Eventually, she successfully advocated leadership to send me through formal Green Belt certification training.

That certification opened new doors throughout my career, but the real gift was the confidence I gained in my abilities.

Cheri made me feel capable, valued, and knowledgeable.

She helped me see strengths that I was still developing.

Over the years, our relationship evolved beyond manager and employee.

We became friends.

We stayed connected through career changes, personal milestones, challenges, and successes. We have watched each other navigate some of life's most difficult experiences while continuing to support one another.

One thing that has always remained constant is our commitment to helping each other grow. We celebrate each other's accomplishments. We encourage each other during difficult seasons. We challenge each other to keep learning.

And perhaps most importantly, we remind each other not to lose the qualities that matter most: Kindness, Compassion, Optimism, Curiosity, and the willingness to help others.

When I look back on my career, I realize that many of my greatest opportunities came because someone was willing to invest in me.

Kim taught me to believe in myself.

Cheri taught me to develop my potential.

Both taught me the importance of lifting others up.

Their influence continues to shape how I lead, how I serve, and how I approach Piece by Piece Guidance today.

Because at its heart, Piece by Piece Guidance exists for the same reason great mentors exist, to help people see a path forward and allow them to discover strengths they may not yet recognize.

I will always be grateful to both of these incredible women for helping me become the person I am today.