In this episode of "Determined to Succeed," host Dawn Mullarney, also known as the Unique Connector, welcomes Kristine Cherek to discuss embracing life amidst chaos and transitions. Dawn and Kristine first met at an event where Kristine was the keynote speaker, and Dawn was part of a panel. They delve into how Kristine, after relocating from Florida to the Midwest, is managing significant life changes and embracing the chaos and new experiences that come with it.
Kristine shares her journey from working in a demanding corporate law environment to seeking work-life balance in various roles, including teaching at a law school. She reflects on how her approach to life had to change to find true fulfillment and the importance of not just checking boxes to achieve happiness.
They discuss the challenges women face in male-dominated industries and the scarcity of senior leadership positions for women, often leading to feelings of competition among female colleagues. Kristine emphasizes the need for women to stand together, support each other, and advocate for more representation in leadership roles. She also highlights the importance of speaking up against microaggressions and biases in the workplace.
Throughout their conversation, Dawn and Kristine stress the value of redefining success, finding joy in the journey, and the significance of empowering and uplifting other women. They both express their commitment to making a difference and creating ripples in their communities by fostering connections and building supportive relationships.
Tune in to this inspiring episode to hear more about Kristine's experiences, her advice for embracing life and chaos, and the importance of solidarity among women in achieving true success and fulfillment.
Connect with Dawn:
Follow: Determined to Succeed on Instagram
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Check out Dawn's website to learn more: Uniqueconnector.com
Learn more about Kristine:
Kristine Cherek is an attorney, former law professor, former corporate executive, writer, and philanthropist. She is the author of the Amazon bestseller Tread Loudly: Call Out the Bullsh*t and Fight for Equality in the Workplace.
Kristine began her career practicing commercial real estate at an international law firm. By the age of 33, she was the general counsel of the nation's largest developer of healthcare facilities. She later was a partner at a regional corporate law firm before joining the faculty of a law school in Florida.
Kristine now focuses on writing, speaking, and advocating for gender equality in the workplace and on philanthropy. Her philanthropic work centers on equity and access in higher education, arts education, food security, and animal welfare.
Kristine received her B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude, from Marquette University and her J.D., Order of the Coif, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School. She is a former college cheerleader and a 6-time marathon and 24-time half marathon runner. Kristine and her husband reside in Chicago with their senior rescue cat.
In Tread Loudy, Kristine shares her experiences as a female professional in male-dominated workplaces. Through her two-decade journey as an attorney, corporate executive, and law professor, she has cultivated a plethora of wisdom and guidance to share about how to persevere in the biased world of business...and life in general.
LinkedIn: @Kristine Cherek
Instagram: @kcherek and @treadloudly
Facebook: @kristine cherek and @tread loudly
Threads: @kcherek and @treadloudly
Tik Tok: @treadloudly
Check out her website and her book: https://kristinecherek.com/