I have known Catina Broadwater for the past 23 years and have never witnessed such an evolution in personal development as I have with her. The first time we met, she had come straight from a factory job to an interview for a position at a new UPS Brokerage operation that was starting up in Aiken, SC. She was wearing jeans and had visibly been working a physical job all day. She was not dressed for a professional interview and did not present a polished demeanor. However, of the 4,000 resumes I had scanned through the previous week; and of all the interviews I conducted over the several days of screening candidates, her interview stuck with me the most and has had a lasting impression on my professional life. I don’t remember the specifics of the interview in the beginning; but Catina’s countenance was full of humility and strength. Her voice was sincere and her eye contact was intentional. What caught my full attention and has remained with me all these years, is her last statement: “I promise you will never find another person who will work as hard as I will.” I knew at that moment that she was speaking the truth and almost prophesying her destiny. I hired her in the first class we trained at the new UPS operation and the last 22 years has been nothing short of the fulfillment of those last words she spoke in our first interview. Catina is someone who decides what she wants and then looks fear in the face and moves mountains to make it happen. At UPS, she overcame a speech challenge and became a trainer, and then a lead, and then a Supervisor and then a Manager. She went back to school and wasn’t satisfied with just finishing her 4 year degree; but went on to complete her Masters and then her Doctorate. She started her own business and became involved in her community while raising her daughters and mentoring other individuals who saw her example and wanted to better themselves. And all this was while she was still filling a significant and critical leadership role at UPS. Catina does not get caught up in the ordinary; but makes everything around her extraordinary. She is a thinker, a dreamer, a lifter and an advocate for those who are willing to put in the work. Her faith and family are of utmost importance to her and has shaped her life tremendously. Her unusual path has led her to understand what it means to love unconditionally (especially herself). She sees a challenge or stumbling block and fully embraces it and acknowledges that everything is a gift sent to ultimately make her stronger. I used to stand in awe of her determination and tenacity; but now I just bask in the joy she brings to everything she touches and feel immense gratitude to have had a small influence on her life compared to the tremendous influence she has had on mine. I am blessed to call her friend.