Who do you Admire Professionally?

Woman who lead by example, have built powerful lives and businesses, inspire those around them and leave a wake of motivation in their path- we not only admire them, but we learn from them. Whether it is the very clients that Rebecca coaches who consistenty teach her something new, Ashley admiring a driven business guru who remains focused on her family, Ali admiring her mom's commitment to growth or Jen who finds a common passion with a travel advisor who is elevating the industry, when we pause to think about the amazing mentors all around us, the energy is powerful. As Rebecca notes, "In a society that teaches women to compete with one another, we need more examples of women celebrating (unconditionally) the accomplishments of women." Not only do we celebrate a wide range of accomplishments here, but we also feel lifted up by the examples they have set. Read on to be inspired by the women we professionally admire.

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

My clients! I know it’s not just one person, but I love that I get to work directly with so many amazing women, and get to witness their brilliance up close.

As a leadership coach, I have the privilege of working with so many talented, brilliant, women. And while I’m the one coaching them, I find that they inspire me every day. Watching clients reach their goals, grow their confidence, and discover their voice gives me hope for world with more women leading.

I speak to hundreds of women every year, and each one has something to teach me. I have clients who have taken bold steps to switch careers, negotiated fair maternity leave policies, and navigated the most challenging workplace dynamics. These women have the resilience and the determination to create better circumstances for themselves, their families, and the women around them.

In a society that teaches women to compete with one another, we need more examples of women celebrating (unconditionally) the accomplishments of women. It’s okay for us to admit we we can feel panges of insecurity and jealousy when we see other women succeeding (especially in our area of expertise). But do you know how good it feels to champion women? To tell them how proud you are of them? To encourage them to keep going despite the struggles?

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

When I think of someone I truly admire professionally, Macy McNeely from The Sales Girls immediately comes to mind. She’s a mom of two (with a third on the way) who has built a powerhouse sales business completely from the ground up.

What impresses me most isn’t just the success of her business—it’s how she runs it. Macy has this uncanny ability to draw people in, to make them feel seen and challenged in the best way. She doesn’t just teach sales strategies; she teaches people to think critically instead of reacting on autopilot.

Behind the scenes, she works incredibly hard. She’s up at 4:30 a.m. most mornings, putting in the kind of focused effort that few people ever see. Yet, she still prioritizes her family and builds her schedule around them. You can tell there’s a strong partnership with her husband and a deep commitment to being present with her kids.

Macy proves that it’s possible to chase big professional goals without sacrificing what matters most at home. That combination of drive, discipline, and grounded family values is exactly the kind of leadership I find inspiring.

Macy McNeely on Instagram

Macy McNeely on Instagram

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

This group of women here on the Spilling Goodness team is truly extraordinary and I am pinching myself that I get to be in a league with them. They are much more accomplished than I am and I am thankful to be surrounded but this kind of female strength.

Not many people I have met recently know this, but I was an accountant for years, ending my career as a Senior Financial Analyst in strategic finance. I left my career 10 years ago when we moved from Wisconsin to Illinois. In a male-dominated field, I worked for and with some of the most incredible women. I am still connected to some of them today and am blown away with where they are now and all they are doing.

Last year I read an incredible book about a woman that made a significant impact on our world. This woman is Frances Perkins and the book is Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray. France Perkins was the Secretary of Labor for Franklin D. Roosevelt. Perkins was responsible for stopping child labor, implementing social security, was the first female cabinet member, and so much more. Perkins, along with many other strong females with similar stories, are stories everyone should be hearing about.

I love books that tell the history of women standing up for our rights and making changes to better our world. Women’s stories need to be shared and told. Women are amazing and can truly do the impossible.

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

My mom has always amazed me with her determination and resilience throughout her professional journey.

A little backstory: my parents were high school sweethearts and had three kids by the time they were just 23. Despite the challenges of raising a young family, my mom never let go of her own dreams.

I still remember being a little girl at her nursing school graduation, beaming with pride. Even with late-night study sessions, she was always up early making breakfast, helping us get ready, and filling our lives with joy and stability.

Now, as an adult, I'm inspired daily by her continued growth and success in her career. She is living proof that you can be both a devoted parent and a determined professional—and that inspires me more than anything.

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

Sara Blakely on Instagram

A professional mentor from an afar that I have admired for years carried a lucky red backpack all through college and into a high profile meeting that most would have swapped in a designer bag. Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx and Sneex and the youngest self-made woman billionaire, started with a dream and unwavering determination. She worked her tail off, revolutionized an industry and even had the sure footing to sell her baby (Spanx) when the timing was right for her personally. I listened to a podcast interview and Sara was asked why she sold Spanx - and one of the reasons was to free her brain of the 80% share that was taken up by the company she had envisioned, built and grew. She also said, that one of her favorite quotes was, "Even if a decision is right, it can still make you sad." This helped me through a tough day recently when I made a decision about my career that I knew was right, but still felt sad.

What some may not know about Sara - she has an incredible charitable foundation, The Red Backpack Foundation. With the mission to "change the way women see themselves and the way the world see women," she's pouring her goodness into the world. Her belief is not only contagious, but her foundation aims to help women with education, invention, entrepreneurship and the arts. I admire how she is using her strength, confidence and wisdom to empower other woman, I admire how she makes space to connect to her intuition and I admire how she holds true to her values- and her lucky red backback.

Image and more inspiration on The Red Backpack Foundation Website

Jen, Bespoke Travel Designer from @GlobalonDemandTravel

Sarah Groen on Instagram

Sarah Groen curates bespoke, high-end experiences that are as meaningful as they are memorable. Like me, she entered this industry driven by a deep love for travel and a belief in its transformative power. When working with families and teenagers especially, it’s not a cliché to say that travel can be profoundly formative—it can be life-changing. These are the years when young people are shaping their identities and worldviews, and travel offers a powerful opportunity to influence both. Sarah deeply believes this—so much so that she pursued her master’s degree exploring this very hypothesis. Her academic insight, combined with her professional vision, has helped elevate the travel industry to new levels.

We both share the belief that travel fosters empathy and a deeper understanding of other cultures, helping children and teens see beyond their own environment and develop a more compassionate, global perspective. But just as importantly, it transforms the individual. Travel pushes us—especially young people—outside of our comfort zones. It teaches resilience, independence, and adaptability. Whether it’s navigating unfamiliar places, embracing different customs, or simply trying something new, these moments help young travelers build confidence and discover their own bravery. For families, these shared experiences create lasting memories and bonds, while giving children tools and perspectives that will shape who they become.

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