Colleen Howe
What makes Colleen Wildly Capable?
“Colleen gives herself fully to her family, friends and work. She’s an advocate for others and is always seeking to better herself and serve those she loves.” ANDREA FILLMORE
What makes you feel proud?
I’m proud of who my daughters are and who they are becoming. They’re 11 and 9, and so unique and secure in who they are. I’m proud that they are comfortable calling me out when I’ve screwed up, and that they come to me when they need help processing their feelings or figuring out a tough situation. I don’t always get it right, but they know that I will always try and that I will apologize and try again when I don’t get it right.
One year from today, how do you hope you’re different?
I hope I have a stronger belief in my worthiness to take up space, have a voice and sit at the tables I’m invited to. Since I didn’t start my career until much later than many of my peers, I struggle with imposter syndrome and often doubt myself. It helps to be surrounded by so many people who believe in me and continue to invite me to have a seat at the table. I know I am fortunate to have those people in my life.
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
My best friend, Rachel. I met her nine years ago when my youngest daughter was an infant and I was in the throes of postpartum depression. I felt alone and lost and she took me in under her wing and gave me so much encouragement and mentoring.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
Living with hearing loss. I have a degenerative, genetic condition that causes progressive hearing loss, and I lost all hearing in my right ear at 28 years old. I was lucky to have restorative surgery last fall and have since regained much of my hearing thanks to modern medicine. The years in between were some of the hardest years, and no one could have ever prepared me for how deeply hearing loss would impact my life and my family’s lives. Losing one of my senses was a devastating experience, and one that I had to work through while simultaneously raising small children and building a career for myself. My surgery isn’t guaranteed to last forever, but today I am so grateful to hear and experience the fullness of my life.
