If your friends/family had to describe you in 3-4 words, what would they say?

Sassy (better than "sarcastic" ;) );cool under pressure

What would you say is your best emotional quality?

NOT patient, lol! Caring

What is your occupation and how do you like to spend your free time?

I have been in cybersecurity and technology my entire career. Free time is spent with family, learning, and traveling.

Any guilty pleasures?

Chocolate and wine (and I don't feel guilty)

What brings you joy?

Traveling

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my daughter, she makes me a better person. For myself, though, I am proud that I have built a life and career that I love, and that I did not sacrifice or give in when others told me I couldn't possibly "have it all" as a mother, wife, and professional.

What advice would you give your 20-year old self looking back?

Say yes, take the risk-you're being offered the opportunity because you are ready, and it's ok to fail and get back up again.

When you entered your 50's, what did you find were the most significant or poignant changes?

I found having more, closer relationships with other women - both professionally and personally - was both necessary and incredibly rewarding. Women should be lifting one another up and helping find more opportunities for one another - there isn't just one slice of pie that we have to compete for, there are a bunch of pies and we can all have more.

Do you have a story about yourself that you would like to share? Something funny, wise or that you have overcome?

I was once told that moving across country when I was 24 with just me and my dog was "brave," and more recently someone else told me they thought moving to a new country was "brave." It was interesting to hear that, because I don't think of myself as brave; in fact, I am generally risk averse and tend to take very calculated risks. But Irealised at that moment that everyone's perception and definition of "brave" is a bit different. I think my daughter was even more brave to pick up and move to a new country with no contacts except me and her father 90 minutes away.I think women are often less likely to take what they perceive to be as "risks", but I think we are also often more likely to feel self-rewarded when we do.

Do you still have a dream or big goal that you would love to accomplish?

I recently met a woman on a plane. She seemed to be older than I am and was traveling alone. She shared with me that she was returning from a few months in Greece, from a small island she and her husband had been visiting every year since the 1980s. Her husband passed away 12 years ago, and at first she didn't want to go back, but then decided that was neither honoring his memory nor was it giving her joy, so she starting going again, and since then had started traveling even more, frequently by herself, taking language and cooking and culture classes wherever she goes. I noticed her slinging her suitcase around, and she told me she is 81 years old and works out with a trainer twice a week and on her own every day so that she can continue traveling solo.What an incredible role model! So, I set my "next phase" goals as:keep traveling, keep learning, and keep moving.