I almost didn’t apply for the Member of the Year RISE Award for a second year in a row. In 2021, I was a finalist for the award, but I didn’t take home the honor—and I was really disappointed about it. I wondered if it was something I wanted to apply for again, if I got nominated, and truthfully, I told everyone I wouldn’t apply again. But I had friends, colleagues and fellow members who believed it was something I deserved and nominated me despite my asks not to do so. I decided I would give it one more shot, and I’m so glad I did.

My journey with MPI has thus far spanned 10 years. I started as a member, then a volunteer. Then I was asked to join the MPI Tennessee Board of Directors, and after six years, I entered into the office of the president. In July 2019, I took on the role of chapter president and led a board of 16 invested and engaged board members until in March 2020, when COVID-19 hit, and I was suddenly leading a group of members in crisis. Never had my leadership been tested in such a way, but in the end, it made me stronger.

Because of this experience, I felt like my next step was to volunteer at the global level. I applied to volunteer for the Chapter Member Advisory Council (CMAC) and was elevated to chair after one year. The greatest joy for me in my professional journey has been being a member and a leader for MPI. I hoped that being chosen for the Member of the Year RISE Award would be another way to show my passion for this organization and use this platform to continue to spread the message and community of MPI.

Being Member of the Year has been an honor in ways I was not expecting. Our industry and MPI community wrapped their arms around me in celebration. I have been presented with the opportunity to connect more with the International Board of Directors, MPI Leadership, past award winners, chapter leaders and fellow members. And it’s made me fall more in love with MPI. I hope that I can use this platform to influence non-members to become members, members to become volunteers, volunteers to become leaders and our community to remain strong and grow stronger.

If you are passionate about MPI and leadership in our industry, I encourage you to apply for a RISE award. The RISE Awards highlight those who excel and have passion amongst our membership. If you feel you’re a fit, then a RISE Award should be in your goals.

MPI is an organization with people at the heart of everything they do, and I am proud to stand alongside those same beliefs and passion as recipient of the 2022 RISE Award for Member of the Year.