If you are invited to be in a certain meeting, project, or conversation, give your true opinion, speak up and bring your point of view, don´t shy away from who you are.

Challenges will come but so will opportunities — be sure to grab those opportunities with both hands but to also embrace the challenges too as progress is never linear.

Bear in mind that no one has the monopoly of success - with self-determination and hard work, the top is always accessible.

What’s important is to always work with integrity — work hard even when no one is watching, strive for excellence, and do not settle unless you are satisfied that you have done great work. Your hard work will pay off eventually.

The advice I usually give to people, particularly to those who hopelessly look for jobs in our region, where unemployment is very high, is to never give up. Resilience is the key to success.

I found it rewarding to work close to full time, also as a young mother, and I believe it is an advantage if you aspire to be in a leadership position.