This year I am thankful for something that feels both exciting and a little scary to say out loud. I am thankful for finding my voice and finally sharing it.

I have always been most comfortable behind the scenes. I fix things quietly. I connect with people one on one. I steady situations without anyone noticing the work underneath. That has always been my natural rhythm.

But this year something shifted. I started stepping forward. I started speaking in spaces where I used to stay silent. I started letting more of myself be seen. And the surprising part is that it felt right. It felt grounded. It felt like a part of me I had been waiting to meet.

A huge part of that growth came from my coach through the METM program. Noushin Bayat, EdD, MPH She helped me understand my patterns, my strengths, and the ways I hold myself back. She helped me see the quiet roles I play and how powerful they actually are. She helped me name the things I used to minimize. And because of that, I learned to trust my own voice in a new way.

I am thankful for that kind of growth. It feels vulnerable and honest and overdue. And it makes me genuinely excited for the future as I continue my leadership journey.