My Professional Pivot

Our final episode of Season One has our host Elissa Kelly in the guest seat, as Todd Weinstein assumes the host duties for this episode of My Professional Pivot.  Elissa shares her pivot from Corporate Executive to Executive Coach, how she redefined what success means to her, and how that lead her to her second career.  She shares her focus on elevating diverse leaders, the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and the confidence that can be built by taking action.   Todd Weinstein on Linked InTodd Weinstein at Gavia Partners  Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer  

Stephanie shares her childhood desire to be a teacher, her journey through her education, her interest in science, and her experience as a middle school teacher.  Passion and grit persisted as she pivoted to social entrepreneurship, opening the AZ Fair Trade Café in downtown Phoenix without money or business experience.  Stephanie shares her philosophy of leading with love, and the idea that there are no problems, only solutions.  She is proof that "the stumble" is the secret sauce to life.  AZ Fair Trade CafeAZ Fair Trade Cafe on Instagram Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer 

In this episode we hear from Dan Berschinski, who after graduating from West Point, served as an Army infantry officer in Afghanistan.  Early in his first deployment, he stepped on a hidden IED and lost both of his legs above the knees.  His injury and retirement meant that he could no longer pursue a career in the military and he was forced to completely redefine both his inner sense of self and find fulfillment in a new non-military career.   Dan shares about the importance of perspective, and how the resources available to him gave him the foundation to begin building a new life outside of the Army.  His philosophy of building a background that provides him opportunities in the future, has given him flexibility to pivot.  Breakline - Non Profit organization focused on helping veterans, women, and people of color pivot into compelling careers in the tech industryDan Berschinski - Linked In  Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer 

Michele shares her story of starting as a property manager in real estate vacation rentals, transitioning to politics, and then into insurance where she moved from marketing to underwriting, operations and IT.  Through these divergent careers, she found her desire for variety, collaboration and community satisfied in different ways.  Michele shares the power of saying "yes", and the importance of including "and" after it, as well as the unexpected result of her multiple pivots - and the confidence pivoting can build.Michele McCoy LinkedIn Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer 

In this episode, Keith shares his journey from Manufacturing Manager to Product Leader, to Chief of Staff and then his pivot from Intel to a full time Faculty and Leadership role with The Hudson Institute of Coaching.  He shares how he navigated the investment he made in two roles while he was experimenting, and the importance of having someone outside your circle to help you explore. Keith Naber - LinkedIn Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinviting Your Career, Herminia Ibarra Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website   Music Credit: David Heer 

In this episode our guest Kathleen Vieira shares her journey from Advertising to HR to Learning & Development.  Her innate curiosity to learn and her desire to work with people and see an impact, lead her to go back to grad school and pursue an MBA, after realizing she didn't want to stay in Advertising.  After transitioning back to the corporate world, and creating a successful career in HR, she realized it was time to hop on the jungle gym and see what else was out there.  Hear about how she tried other jobs on, and wisely considered a few probing questions from her hairstylist, to identify what was next.     Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer 

We're back ! Our guest Dixon Oates has made multiple pivots, most notably from Construction Management to Cannabis.  Dixon shares the highs (pun intended) and lows of his pivots, and the importance of identifying your aptitudes.  He's realistic about the opportunity he had to take a big risk, and how that has shaped his career. He digs deep and shares how a lack of finding his "thing" early on lead to self-doubt, and how that has changed over time.  Plus, in this episode, you get to learn what thermal mass construction is! Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website   Music Credit: David Heer 

The Messy Middle is a quick update on the My Professional Pivot podcast and future episodes, which are currently being recorded.  If you know of someone who has pivoted and would be interested in sharing their story, have them email me at info@elissakelly.com Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer   

After a decade of military service where he focused on aircraft mechanic roles, Foard was unexpectedly faced with rebranding himself and figuring out what came next.  His story is one of resiliency, where he creatively identified opportunities, capitalized on sponsors who advocated for his future, and built a new career in a corporate environment.  Foard Womack - LinkedIn  Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer

After being offered a job the day she graduated from high school, Karen spent 26 years with the same organization.  She shares how her experience provided the opportunity to try different roles, and how joining an industry organization expanded her view and lead to new opportunities.  Her natural ability to find gaps and solve for those gaps prompted her involvement in the creation of an Emerging Issues & Trends Committee, as well as her pivot from Corporate to external recruiter.  While she contemplated trying something different for years, the fear of leaving a steady paycheck held her back until she had a push. She shares honestly what is like to grieve the loss of being laid off, and the importance of building your brand before you need it.  SIC Services Website Karen Alford - Linked In  Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website   Music Credit: David Heer 

Join Brooke as she shares her many pivots, starting in the music industry, making stops in legal and project management roles before landing in fitness.  Brooke's experiences draw similarities among what, on their face, appear to be disparate industries, and she shares how she tapped into her skills to facilitate her different pivots.   We discuss what it feels like to be stuck, how to dislodge yourself, and how to identify your space, since just because you're good at something, doesn't mean it's right forever.  Brooke McDermott on Instagram: @brookemcdermoEmail: Brooke@tricorefit.com Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - Website My Professional Pivot - Website Music Credit: David Heer   

After working as a management consultant for eight years, the timing was right for a change.  Poonam had always wanted to be an entrepreneur, and had been looking for the right idea.  She shares how following other entrepreneurs to learn from their experiences, getting comfortable with imperfection, and just going for it were keys to her success thus far.   The Spice Collective  Instagram @The_SpiceCollectiveFacebook @TheSpiceCollective Poonam Patel Bhavan - LinkedInElissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - Website .My Professional Pivot - Website Music Credit: David Heer  

Cam has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and he spent a decade in and out of corporate life before fully transitioning to his current entrepreneurship ventures, leading a hybrid advertising and marketing firm, while also growing a start-up.  Cam shares the importance of practice reps, and the value add of his failures, including how they helped him gain experience, and grow his network.  His framework for leveraging time outside of the 40 hour corporate work to grow personally and professionally, is a tool others can use as they consider what's next.  We also explore the importance of prioritization and patience as entrepreneurs, particularly to avoid burn out.    Stratovation Group - Website The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg *If you choose to make a purchase after clicking this link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer

Sarah Nayani spent a decade in corporate roles in Fishing, after finding her way into the industry during the financial crisis in 2008.  After years as a road warrior, working 70-80 hours a week, the pandemic gave her pause to consider what she wanted her life to look like.  Sarah shares about the support systems she tapped into, the messiness of transitioning, and how she is managing the seasonality of her new role building a sustainable local flower business.   Grow Girl Seattle - Instagram @growgirlseattleGrow Girl Seattle - Website  Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer  

Christine is proof you don't have to stick with one career, you can have success in many different areas. After seven years in as an attorney in private practice, she took a break from the intensity of law to focus on her two young kids.  Christine then pivoted to teaching, earning her teaching certification in record time, and then doubling down and earning her gifted certification as well.   Her original love of science remained, and her next pivot utilized both science and art as she transitioned from teaching to taxidermy.   http://www.hartlandtaxidermy.com   Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoaches Elissa Kelly - LinkedIn Elissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website Music Credit: David Heer

Growing up, Rob wanted to be a broadcast journalist.  After college, he fell into banking and had a successful career that started in a management training program, and lead to many different roles at different banks, with an exciting pace of change.  During the financial crisis, a combination of factors, including a desire to reduce the risk of him and his partner working in the same industry, and a growing disillusionment with the culture and the person he was becoming, lead him to his second career in non-profit.  Rob shares how a leadership training program opened  the doors on what was possible, and how he has used his transferrable skills in relationship building, project management, negotiation, and leadership to transition successfully to a new industry.     Rob Podlogar - LinkedInValley of the Sun United Way - WebsiteElissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedInElissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website  Music Credit: David Heer 

Cristina Juvier began her career as a lawyer with defining experiences in international law as General Counsel at Enron and AIG.  After a leader planted a seed about a future in HR, Cristina accepted a stretch role, and ended up pivoting.  Cristina explores the importance of finding and hearing your own voice, the impact of other's expectations, as well as the value of being well rounded, both personally and professionally.  She weaves a common thread through her experiences in many industries, including energy, telecom, financial services and media, as she shares the good, the bad, and the messy middle of her pivot.   Cristina Juvier - LinkedInElissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedIn Elissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website Music Credit: David Heer

Welcome to My Professional Pivot where we navigate the intersection of different career paths.  Many of the pivots we discuss have been orchestrated by our guests themselves, and others were not.    Whether you're considering a pivot, in the midst of one, or on the other side, you'll get to explore the good, the bad, and the messy middle when you listen with us.  In each episode of this weekly podcast, host Elissa Kelly welcomes real people who have pivoted from one career to another.   You'll hear from folks who have had the courage to pivot from fishing to flowers, from teaching to taxidermy, from law to HR, from HR to marketing, music to finance, military to financial services, and much more.  Some pivoted out of corporate lives and others pivoted to a new corporate life, and each of them has a unique story to share. Elissa Kelly - Instagram @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - Twitter @elissacoachesElissa Kelly - LinkedIn Elissa Kelly - WebsiteMy Professional Pivot - Website Music Credit: David Heer