Headshots for Board Director and C-Suite Advisor
Last fall, I had the incredible opportunity to photograph Barbara Spitzer. I asked Barbara to share advice she would give her younger self.
“I grew up with a mother who was one of the original modern-day feminists and was imbued with that philosophy and its principles. One of the key lessons I learned was that no one would reward you for asking for permission to take action. Don’t wait for permission to go after what you need and want in your career. There will always be twists and turns, but staying true to your vision will get you there."
Barbara continued, “While asking for forgiveness may not be the best path forward, it’s about how you do it. For women, trying to go after what they want the same way a man would doesn’t always work. You have to go about it in your own way. It’s more about having the confidence to seize your opportunity in a collaborative and engaging way for others.”
Barbara was raised as an “army brat,” moving every six months to a year and always walking into new places or situations while meeting new people. That experience set her up for a successful 30-year career as a management consulting executive and will serve her well when she transitions to corporate board service and advisory work.
“My early years built the resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, always changing environment. However, it also created a hardened exterior that I needed to maintain a sense of safety. I’ve been on a lifelong journey to let that exterior fade into the background and make room for my generosity, kindness, and compassion to emerge. I may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I learned long ago that loving myself was more important than being the most popular kid. I now live by the Oscar Wilde quote, ‘Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.’”
“I’m at a great place in my life and career. At this point, it's scary and exciting to learn new things and stretch and grow into new challenges. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.”
“I think authenticity is key to success, and Alissa revealed my true authentic self. Alissa is empowering, making my photos more fun and authentic instead of stiff like so many headshots. She captured many different sides of my personality!”
Thank you, Barbara, for sharing this part of your journey with me and allowing me to capture all sides of your personality!