Root to Rising

In this energizing conversation, host Christine Hummel and guest Melanie Hart (Director, Market Access & Health Economics in biotech) unpack the real work of confidence: seeking mentors, taking imperfect action, and navigating cultural expectations without losing yourself. They get candid about turning down “dream” jobs, mom-guilt, male-dominated rooms, and the myth of balance — replacing it with a more honest metric: the mean of your presence over time. You’ll leave with scripts, mindset shifts, and practical moves to grow your network IRL and online.

Melanie Hart — Biotech market access leader focused on patient access, outcomes, and health economics. Former multi-sport athlete (yes, rugby), bonus mom, and champion of strategic adaptability and authentic leadership.

1. Brave beats perfect. Apply before you feel 100% qualified. Ship before it’s flawless.
2. Don’t argue for your limitations. Notice when your “no” is driven by guilt or optics, not facts.
3. Measure the mean. You won’t “balance” every day; aim for a healthy average over time.
4. Network on two fronts. Master both IRL and virtual relationship-building.
5. Mentors ≠ luxury — they’re leverage. Seek mentors, sponsors, and allies early; they’re your cheat codes.
6. Have a voice in the room. Assertive + respectful beats silent + resentful.
7. Build a diverse skill stack. Pair domain expertise with data, communication, and leadership reps.
8. Own your motivators. Purpose is personal; stop outsourcing your definition of “enough.”

• The 5-minute follow-up: After any talk/panel, introduce yourself and send a same-day thank-you email with one specific takeaway + one ask.
• Three & Three Network: Identify 3 internal and 3 external people who give you energy. Touch base monthly.
• Confidence file: Keep a private note with wins, feedback, and moments you were brave. Re-read before interviews or big meetings.
• “Johnny” script: “I’m not available for that. Let’s focus on the work.” (Deliver once, evenly, then move on.)

• “Don’t argue for your limitations in your head.” — Mel
• “Brave, not perfect.” — Theme echoed throughout
• “Aim for the mean, not the perfect day.” — Christine
• “Mentors, sponsors, allies — your career cheat codes.” — Mel
• “Have a voice. Wallflowers don’t get invited to the table.” — Mel

• TED Talk: “Brave, Not Perfect” by Reshma Saujani (12 minutes)
• Concept: Strategic adaptability — align values, words, and actions while reading the room.

Hosted by: Christine Hummel

What does it really feel like to graduate college, pack up your life, and start fresh in a brand-new city? In this episode, Christine sits down with two recent University of Alabama graduates — Alex (originally from California) and Ellie (from Chicago) — who both just made the leap to Nashville.

They open up about:

• Why they chose to attend college out of state (and what it taught them about courage).
• The real struggles of finding a first job in today’s market.
• What it’s like balancing fear, independence, and growth in your early 20s.
• The surprising ways networking and chance encounters can change your career path overnight.

This is an honest, funny, and heartfelt conversation for anyone navigating post-grad life — or mentoring those who are.

• Confidence in big moves: How Alex found a sign to move across the country — and why her mom’s tough love kept her on track.
• Independence 101: Why Ellie says leaving your hometown is the first big test of adulthood.
• Coping with uncertainty: Lessons on resilience when things don’t go as planned.
• Breaking into careers: The “who you know vs. what you know” debate in today’s job hunt.
• Networking that works: Why saying “yes” (to coffee, clubs, run groups, or even dermatology appointments!) can unlock unexpected opportunities.

• “You only get one shot to move out of your hometown — take it.” – Alex
• “Your first job doesn’t have to be forever. It just has to be a start.” – Ellie
• “Be curious, be curious, be curious.” – Christine
• “What’s the worst that can happen? They say no.” – All three, in different ways

• College students considering out-of-state schools
• Seniors stressing about graduation and “what’s next”
• Parents learning how to support independence
• Mentors and leaders guiding the next generation of women

1. Start early — but don’t panic. Careers unfold at their own pace.
2. Say yes more often. Each “yes” builds skills, connections, or both.
3. Define your personal brand. Have a 30-second intro ready at all times.
4. Balance hustle with joy. College (and your early 20s) is about experiences and preparation.
5. Patience pays off. The right opportunities often come when you least expect them.

• Follow Christine Hummel on LinkedIn for mentorship insights
• Explore Nashville networking clubs and young professional groups
• Connect with Root to Rising for upcoming episodes

👉 Listen now and share this episode with a rising woman in your life who’s navigating her first big leap.

Christine sits down with Ream Qato—Chicago-born Palestinian American, pharmacist (PharmD), Booth MBA, market-access leader, and mom of three—about building confidence the unglamorous way (reps, not magic), career pivots from chemistry to pharmacy to business, speaking up when you’re the only woman in the room, and designing a life by your own values. Ream also shares her long-term mission: expanding access to rare/orphan drugs in emerging markets, especially the Middle East.

• Confidence is a skill, not a trait. Ream “pinched herself” to speak up the first few times—then it became second nature.
• Say it before someone else does. Over-editing your ideas costs you influence.
• Design your balance by the week, not the day. Think average over time rather than perfect daily equilibrium.
• Own your values. Live by your standards, not others’ expectations—at work, at home, and in your community.
• Don’t pre-decide for other women. Offer opportunities; let them choose.
• Purpose fuels perseverance. Ream’s North Star: bringing rare-disease therapies to new regions that can support access but are often overlooked.

• 00:00 Welcome & purpose of Root to Rising
• 00:35 Meet Ream: South Side roots, identity, and growth
• 01:45 College path: UChicago chemistry → PharmD (UIC) vs. PhD decision at the kitchen table
• 03:30 From clinician to MBA: spotting system gaps and moving into market access
• 06:03 Role models: educator mom, academic family, and the power of example
• 09:12 Advice for grads: reflect, test, align enjoyment with strengths
• 12:21 Building confidence: speaking up as the only hijabi/Muslim woman in the room
• 14:59 Overthinking vs. influence: say it sooner
• 18:12 When others get credit for your unsaid idea—what to do next
• 21:03 Motherhood & work: pressure, judgment, and choosing what works for your family
• 28:51 Rethinking “work-life balance”: aim for the weekly average
• 31:08 Loss, priorities, and scheduling with intention
• 33:13 Boundaries at work: you can say no without apology
• 34:53 Big goals: expanding rare/orphan access in emerging markets; representation in leadership
• 37:22 Why Ream wears hijab: identity, accountability, and values
• 39:49 Words for younger women: “Don’t take no” & live by your value set
• 41:16 Close & next steps

• “Confidence came after the reps. I had to pinch myself to speak up the first few times.” — Ream
• “Offer the opportunity—don’t decide for her.” — Christine
• “Live life by your own value set, not the values others put on you.” — Ream (advice from her father)

1. Speak first once per meeting. Make a clarifying point or frame the goal.
2. Two-minute rule. If you’ve held a point for 2 minutes, share it.
3. Weekly balance check. Plan your average: one day heavy work, another heavy family—on purpose.
4. Opportunity audit. List one opportunity you’re qualified for but haven’t asked about—then ask.

What do you do when someone tells you “you’re not ready” or “you can’t do it”?
For Kristina Sullivan, those words became fuel.

In this episode, host Christine Hummel sits down with Kristina—her longtime friend, colleague, and mentor—to unpack the real, messy, and powerful truth about building a career as a woman in a male-dominated industry.

Together, they cover:

• 🎯 Why you don’t need a perfect plan out of college (but you do need to be scrappy).
• 💡 How to figure out what lights you up—and pair it with the motivators that actually drive you.
• 🚀 Turning “no” and doubt into confidence, resilience, and career-defining leaps.
• 🤝 Why intentional networking and mentorship aren’t optional—they’re everything.
• 🌱 The honest truth about women supporting (and sometimes competing with) women.

This is a conversation about courage, pivots, and the lessons we wish we had in our 20s. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for your next chapter, Kristina’s story will remind you: the path isn’t perfect, but it’s yours to create.

• “Being uncomfortable isn’t a bad thing—it’s where growth happens.” – Kristina Sullivan
• “You don’t always need a perfect plan. Sometimes, you just need to be scrappy.” – Kristina Sullivan
• “What lights you up? Pair that with your motivators, and you’ll find your direction.” – Christine Hummel

In the very first episode of Root to Rising, Christine Hummel sits down with her daughter, Ellie Ternes, and Ellie’s best friend, Megan Hutson, for a raw and empowering conversation about confidence, choices, and finding your path after college. From “fake it till you make it” to the floating rock mentality, they share unfiltered insights on navigating uncertainty, breaking free from expectations, and embracing life’s messy middle.

Welcome to the first full episode of Root to Rising with Christine Hummel—a podcast created to go beyond the highlight reels and share real stories that help women rise with courage and clarity.

Christine kicks off the show with two very special guests: her daughter Ellie Ternes and Ellie’s lifelong friend Megan Hutson. Together, they open up about the messy but meaningful transition from college to career, tackling uncertainty, and building authentic confidence along the way.

• The one-year “deal” Christine made with Ellie to push her beyond her hometown comfort zone.
• Megan’s journey from psychology to marketing—and why her cousin’s beer-marketing career might be the dream.
• The role sororities, clubs, and business fraternities in shaping their confidence and career direction.
• How to build confidence when you feel unsure—fake it till you make it, remember everyone’s scared too, and lean into failure as a teacher.
• The floating rock mentality—a surprisingly grounding way to keep life in perspective.
• Why YOLO and “life goes on” aren’t clichés but confidence boosters.
• Honest reflections on cultural, family, and religious expectations—and how to choose your own path despite outside pressures.

Whether you’re a college student, a young professional, or simply someone rethinking what confidence looks like in your own life, this conversation will inspire you to take risks, embrace imperfection, and rise stronger from every messy middle moment.

🎧 Tune in now and start building the confidence to make choices that are fully your own.