Boss Lady Coaching

Megan Stith and Hollie Sexton talk about having successful crucial conversations in their professional and personal lives. Megan presents "Braver By The Day". The Boss Lady Podcast is presented by Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, People Helping People at FortKnoxFCU.org.

Becky is the Executive Vice President of Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, but the road to this position was one filled with challenges and hard work. While as a child she considered becoming a hairdresser and dreamed of going to go college, she knew she had to find her own way to make her educational aspirations come true.

“The job that I started in as a co-op student was in retail at a boutique in Radcliff. I finally ended up getting a job with a bank in the bookkeeping department and during that time, found I really liked what I was doing.”

Becky enrolled in classes at Elizabethtown Community College (now ECTC) and started as a part-time teller at Fort Knox Credit Union. Her boss at the time encouraged her to get her degree.

“It was like I had to take baby steps, one bite at a time. I got my Associates degree, then my Bachelor’s, and finally finished my MBA in 2009. You hear about career college students- that was me! But I was also working full time and raising a family, supporting my two daughters through school and sports. Looking back at it now, I wonder how I did it!”

Becky is an inspiration to her daughters, who watched her work late into the night and sacrifice time together to complete her education. Now that her daughters are grown, they are following her example.

In a recent conversation with her daughter who has returned to school to get her nursing degree, her daughter said, “you know why I can do this? I watched you. I saw you get your degree as a working mother and it taught me that you have to work hard to get where you want to go.”

There was something about the Credit Union family and the support system they provided which gave Becky faith that at some point she would move into a higher position within the organization despite having other options for her career.

“I’m so glad that I chose to stay with the Credit Union. Everyone truly believes we’re a family. Everyone supports one another and tries to lift each other up when they’re down. We’ve developed such a good working relationship here.”

Becky credits much of her success to the mentorship and encouragement of other women. You’ll especially love her story of how her sister continued to raise the expectations for Becky’s continued educational growth!

“You have to be authentic. If it means being silly, being serious, crying with someone, just listening, or really getting down to business and working harder than you’ve ever worked in your life, you have to be yourself. You have to be able to do those things to enjoy your job. If you come in and aren’t happy and can’t have fun, how long are you going to last in that role? That’s why we’ve created a culture where we value doing a good job and getting our work done but having fun while we’re doing it.”

Listen to the full episode to hear:

Hollie’s question about how to encourage others to continue their education

The most valuable lesson Becky has learned in her career

Megan’s favorite thing about co-hosting the podcast

"No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up!" That’s Boss Lady Jessica Gray’s motto. Jessica Gray is a small business owner, mother, wife, animal lover, athlete and friend of BLC. Jessica is a Central Hardin High School graduate, she holds a business degree from Western Kentucky University and several fitness industry certifications. She teaches mobile boots camps at Hardin Memorial Health locations, schools and more! Hollie, Megan and Jessica talk about Mom guilt, being your best self, dedication, persistence, motivation, telecommuting, mobile boot camps, snacks, fitness tips and creating a schedule that works for you.

We are slightly obsessed with Beth Avey and her ability to be the wizard behind the curtain! Beth Avey is the President of Heartland Communications Consultants, Inc, a Louisville, Kentucky area marketing and advertising firm, mother, wife, Veteran and a million other impressive things that she does not want you to know about. Beth is always seeking ways to improve processes, grow relationships and connect Soldiers with opportunities.

Sakinah Bunch is the witty CEO of Cleangoodeats. She is also a wellness ambassador, health coach, Army veteran, Army spouse for more than two decades and mother of three. While working as a professional style consultant, Sakinah discovered her daughter was allergic to all but four foods, then her husband was diagnosed with an incurable, food-related chromosome disorder, she had to learn to cook – fast. Her struggles inspired her to delve fully into researching the effects of food on the body and on the family. She relinquished her day job to pursue this new passion full time. This led her to create Cleangoodeats, which reconnects families by teaching healthful cooking and holistic wellness. Sakinah is an international educator who shows people how to make allergy-friendly, gluten-free and specialized meals, taking the stress out of mealtime and bringing the family back to the table. She learned over the years that balancing work, maintaining a happy, healthy marriage and raising a family with allergies was not an easy feat. Through her trials and triumphs, she has made it her mission to share her knowledge with others. As she says, she “manages to keep them alive with style, love, humor and plenty of Cleangoodeats!” Sakinah speaks all over the world on topics related to marriage, connecting families together through healthy eating choices, cooking, and allergy related topics. Want to be a part of our WIFE TO BE community and receive more recipes, encouragement from Sakinah and WIFE TO BE community members, be the first to know about live events and conferences with Sakinah and more? Connect with us and sign up for our newsletter on Cleangoodeats.com.

Dayna Parrett is the Cooperative Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Hardin County, Kentucky (basically a long title for community educator who teaches people young and old about nutrition, cooking, finances, textiles, child development, leadership and pretty much anything else people ask her to do). While her passion for her work is on fire, nothing can come close to the love she has of spending time with her family, in particular her niece and nephew. She loves reading, laughing, ranch dressing and Harry Potter. Dayna is a University of Kentucky graduate with a Masters degree in Family Sciences.

SPECIAL PODCAST about #MeToo! Emily Neel with Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services talked to Hollie Sexton about what's next in the #MeToo movement and what we need to know about sexual assault and harassment.

Jerisia Lamons is the Director of Career Services at ECTC and a straight up Boss Lady! Her work with students includes assisting them in deciding their major, informing them of essential skills and providing job shadowing experiences. Jerisia is gifted at encouraging and empowering women. She’s a mother, wife and a career professional who gardens and cooks masterfully.

Hollie Sexton & Megan Stith talk with tech boss lady Brooke Whitlow.

Brooke is the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Hardin County Schools located in central Kentucky. In her 10 year career as an educator Brooke has taught a multitude of subject areas in a 1:1 classroom ranging from computer science to American history. In addition to her responsibilities as tech coordinator, Brooke is the lead instructor for girls only programming courses at Hardin County Schools Early College and Career Center. Brooke received a B.A. in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis in Social Studies and Language Arts from Western Kentucky University. She continued on at WKU to earn a M.A.E in Middle Grades Education with certification in instructional technology. Currently, Brooke is enrolled in the Technology Leadership doctoral program at Morehead State University. Brooke is also a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator, Level 1 and 2 Certified Educator, Google Educator Group leader for Kentucky, co-creator/organizer of EdCampKY, #KyGoDigital regional lead and co-host of #KyGoDigital LIVE!. Find out more about Brooke by visiting BrookeWhitlow.com or follow her on Twitter @BWhitlowEdTech.

Hollie Sexton & Megan Stith talk with tech boss lady Brooke Whitlow.

Brooke is the Instructional Technology Coordinator for Hardin County Schools located in central Kentucky. In her 10 year career as an educator Brooke has taught a multitude of subject areas in a 1:1 classroom ranging from computer science to American history. In addition to her responsibilities as tech coordinator, Brooke is the lead instructor for girls only programming courses at Hardin County Schools Early College and Career Center. Brooke received a B.A. in Middle Grades Education with an emphasis in Social Studies and Language Arts from Western Kentucky University. She continued on at WKU to earn a M.A.E in Middle Grades Education with certification in instructional technology. Currently, Brooke is enrolled in the Technology Leadership doctoral program at Morehead State University. Brooke is also a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator, Level 1 and 2 Certified Educator, Google Educator Group leader for Kentucky, co-creator/organizer of EdCampKY, #KyGoDigital regional lead and co-host of #KyGoDigital LIVE!. Find out more about Brooke by visiting BrookeWhitlow.com or follow her on Twitter @BWhitlowEdTech.