Who is a woman who has inspired your career? #IWD25 I often think about how I got my start in Competitive Intelligence—a journey made possible by the vision of two remarkable leaders who believed in my potential: Betty Nelson and Caroline Croley. Betty challenged me right from the beginning. She placed me in new, sometimes uncomfortable situations that pushed me to learn quickly and simultaneously execute. That experience showed me that true growth happens where we're just a bit uneasy—and it’s a philosophy I carry with me to this day. Caroline, as my leader, provided unwavering support. She championed my work to executives and protected my schedule so I could dive deep into research and professional development. One of my favorite memories is still hearing her ask, “What if we tried…?” That question opened my mind to fresh approaches—and I continue to use it whenever I tackle new challenges. Betty and Caroline, I’m grateful for the doors you opened, the trust you placed in me, and the lessons you shared. Thank you for helping set the foundation for my career in Competitive Intelligence!
Katie Southern all those years ago 💚 💜
Can I use your post to talk about my own experiences? Thats how this social media stuff works right? Shoutout to Stacy Wynn for giving me my first shot in enablement and who continually guides me through a series of jabs and snide remarks. 🙌 👏
Great reflection, Kimberly. It’s inspiring to see how mentorship shapes careers. How do you pay it forward now—are there specific ways you challenge and support the next generation in Competitive Intelligence?
Awesome tribute!
Humbled and grateful for the shout-out, Kimberly Bauer. Your willingness to take on tough challenges and venture into the unknown is a true super-power. I'm incredibly proud of you and all that you continue to accomplish!
Kimberly Bauer! Seriously, this just totally made my day (year?)! Reading this brought back so many great memories. You were the one who really ran with the CI stuff—you had that spark, that curiosity, and you just figured it out. I loved those 'What if we tried...?' moments with you then (and now too!); you always came up with the coolest ideas. It was awesome to watch you grow and you were always a rockstar learner and leader (and there's also something comforting about you working in cybersecurity that makes me feel a little more safe... 😉 ). So incredibly proud of you and excited to watch your journey! Thanks for sharing this – it means so much!
Sales Professional: CyberSecurity | SentinelOne
2wMy mother 🧡 even though she passed away 11 years ago, but still has been inspiring me until today. As a single parent, she managed to take care of her 2 children (me and my brother - Ari J. Adipurwawidjana) and had a successful career, when at that era was in the world of men domination.