Age: 38
President and CEO, McPherson, Berry & Associates Inc.

• Oversees operations of McPherson, Berry & Associates, an organization that draws on broad-ranging experience to design effective, growth-producing organizational development strategies for companies of all sizes.

Community involvement

• Volunteer board member and voice chair, Greater Women’s Business Council, which supports and advocates the needs and challenges of female business owners.
• Founder, Get Poised Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides life leadership skills and personal development to youth and those in life transition.
• Speaker at local high schools, youth organizations and women’s organizations.

What made you select your chosen profession? The desire to continuously learn and help others was the reason why I chose a profession in human performance. Having an analytical mind and drive to find ways to improve the way we do things warranted the engineering degree. Helping people be the best that they can be is just icing on the cake.

Best career advice you’ve ever been given: When you have reached the level of success where you are, find the next springboard rather than settling in mediocrity.

First job: Teen pregnancy prevention coordinator for the Department of Social Services, at the age of 16.