This Will Not Be My Life

I’ll never forget that night. After another big fight with my father, my mother found herself in her bedroom, my father shouting and yelling at her as he banged on the locked door.?

And I was right there.?

Hiding under the bed, terrified of what might happen to my mother if he made it through the door.

I grew up in the Dominican Republic, right on the border with Haiti. It was a remote and poor part of the country. In those days, women in this area usually married young, had babies, and then stayed married – no matter what. They did not have the economic freedom to leave abusive marriages, no matter how bad they might be.?

When violence hit my home, mom, and family, crouched under that bed, sobbing, I said to myself, “That’s not going to be me. “? I would do better.?

And I Did

My mother brought me to America when I was 14. I started learning English in high school, went to college, and earned several graduate degrees. I worked in technology and financial services for over 25 years.?

Now, I am an entrepreneur and have worked hard over the last 30 years to build a secure retirement nest egg.

Thanks to my mother’s vision and all the opportunities I’ve taken advantage of, the teachers, friends, mentors, and inclusive leaders who have supported me, I’ve earned the education and enjoy the financial freedom unattainable by most women in the poor village I lived in my early years.?

It didn’t come easy, and I’ve worked tirelessly to become the leader I am today. And my intention today is to encourage other leaders and talented women in corporate America through my example.

Leaders Are Made, Not Born

My last corporate job was at Lord Abbett. I was there for almost 17 years. I held five different roles at Lord Abbett, each with more responsibilities. And that's when I realized that when companies are thriving, they have great, inclusive leaders.

Conversely, when you see companies struggling, look up, and you will most likely encounter leaders who often unconsciously promote a toxic culture.?

And I thought, “Wow, wouldn’t it be incredible to give mid- and senior-level leaders the tools necessary to become great, inclusive senior leaders?” Great leaders focus on business growth and simultaneously build an inclusive culture and workplace in which employees on all levels have the potential to thrive based on their efforts.

What I do now is coach and mentor talented women and leaders on how to be more impactful and purposeful in their leadership and how to advance and grow.

Life experiences have shown me that leadership is not a skill you wake up with one morning. Moreover, just because you’re a skilled salesperson, technologist, or marketer, it doesn’t mean you are automatically a great leader.

My personal brand is about helping my partners fulfill their leadership potential, deliver results, and enjoy personal well-being. It’s also about self-leadership. It makes sense that in order to lead others, you must lead yourself powerfully.

It's about learning, leading, and overcoming challenges with a growth mindset. And it's about giving back. It's about supporting those around you so they can bring their zone of genius to the table and so they can excel. From that stance, then you can create a culture where everyone who has the talent and who has the desire to thrive can, regardless of their background and demographics.

“The highest good includes yourself and the good of others.”?

About Dr. Ginny A. Baro:

After 25 years of a successful career in corporate America, Dr. Ginny Baro realized she needed a change–a change from a four-hour round-trip commute to more freedom and flexibility to be accessible for her family and the ability to really explore her full potential.??

She created ExecutiveBound, an innovative leadership development and career advancement company in northern New Jersey.??

She became a Certified Professional Coach and started coaching leaders. As a transformational speaker, leadership coach, career strategist, and #1 bestselling author of Healing Leadership and Fearless Women at Work, she advocates for women and leaders to grow and advance.?

The word is out, and now she has a full calendar of clients and organizations who seek her insights, wisdom, and guidance.

In January 2020, she launched the Women's Fearless Leadership Mastermind, which helps talented female leaders of all backgrounds gain critical leadership skills to advance into senior leadership positions.

To explore how your organization can leverage ExecutiveBound and Dr. Baro’s expertise to develop high-potential, talented leaders, please email [email protected], call 201-388-6318, or schedule to connect with her here.?