WISE is wishing a very happy Father's Day to all of the dads and father figures out there!
What does Father’s Day mean to you, and how do you usually celebrate it?
We usually end up doing something simple like grill out and will probably end up doing yard work or in the garden. My two kids and I love to spend time outside.
How has becoming a father changed your perspective on work/life balance?
When it was just me, I didn’t have a lot of work-life balance. At this point, I’m very thoughtful about how I divide my work time and my dad time. Since I travel so much, 20 weeks out of the year, I’m very conscious about the time I’m spending away and how I interact with my kids on the road. I make sure to connect on the road even if it’s counted in minutes not days. I call in the evenings and I plan around that time. I will also read books out loud for them, record it and send them when I’m on the road. Then, when I am home, I spend time with each one of them individually. I realized that the time you have together just doesn’t happen on accident; it takes thought and planning.
Have you faced any unexpected challenges as a working parent in your career?
I realized that owning a small business is a challenge in time management. The more time I put into the business, the more it grows. But that time comes at the cost of time with my family. It forces me to make better choices, and be intentional with my time. I can’t run after all of the opportunities. It’s a tough choice sometimes - do I want to play softball or grow the business?
What motivated you to get involved with WISE and support its mission?
I’ve been involved with WISE since 2022 and coming to the annual meeting for more than a decade. After COVID, I was chatting with one of the board members about planning for the annual meeting, and I stepped up to sponsor the WISE Sunset Happy Hour to get people back together in person. I was able to attend the WISE board dinner during PLMA that year and it made me really excited to support the organization in a larger way. I was excited to be invited to join the board so I could continue to connect with the energy of this organization.
What advice do you give other men about being effective allies?
Just jump in. WISE has created so many opportunities for everyone to get involved. It is an organization that is focused on connecting its members with ideas, mentors, training, and resources to help them grow in their careers. As an ally, my role is to help everyone see the opportunities in front of them and the value they bring to their organization. A new perspective or point of view helps everyone see their opportunities differently. The more perspectives WISE can provide, the more valuable we are to our members.
How do you hope to see WISE—and allyship—continue to grow in the next few years?
I’m really excited that we’re going to be rolling out a leadership program. We’re an active organization that not only provides resources to create diversity allies, but we also provide needed training for professional growth that members can put on their resume. This program is another way we can show value to our membership.