Yvonne Simons grew up poor. Her parents told her she needed to be smart, work hard, and get a college scholarship, which she did. In her first career as a middle school teacher, she was frustrated by so many things about the system that she felt did not serve her students. She eventually used her role as an education reporter for multiple television stations throughout the country to tell the stories of things she believed needed to change. After twenty years on the air, she rose into news management—something she had no experience doing. But, like everything else she had tried, Yvonne did the work, honed her skills, and her star rose. She is currently the news director at KATU in Portland, Oregon where there is no shortage of news. She is also a classically trained singer, a cat lover, and a devoted daughter to her 93-year-old mother. But most importantly, Yvonne is a kind person and a deep thinker who shares her story with vulnerability in this episode about everything from major major mistakes to looking for love.

To learn more about Yvonne:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonne-simons-b6b8222b/

https://katu.com/

Karen Woomer was a corporate executive who stepped back from her career to focus on her family, but it wasn’t until she was hit with a major illness that she found her true purpose in life. Karen put off a routine colonoscopy because of the pandemic. When she finally had the test, she was diagnosed with late stage three colorectal cancer. The treatment was brutal, sending her to the hospital wondering if she would even make it. Her family and her friends rallied around her. When she came out on the other side, she vowed to not only spread awareness about colorectal cancer screening, but to get more involved in helping others in her community. Karen’s journey from cancer to healing will truly inspire you.

For more information on the work Karen is doing check out:

https://colorectalcancer.org

Designed For Joy | Living Wage Jobs for Vulnerable Women

Deanna Jones is a business leader in the tech world; she’s been at Cisco Systems for nearly 25 years, but she’s also a passionate speaker and consultant in the diversity arena. She’s Vice President of Harmony-the North Carolina LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce. At the age of 54, she traded in attachment for authenticity and became the person she always knew she was deep down inside. Deanna’s midlife transformation story is one-of-a-kind. In this episode, she bravely shares her major reinvention and what it cost her to become the fulfilled person she is today.

For more about Deanna:

https://deannajonesnow.com/

https://www.harmonync.org/

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn