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In honor of International Women’s Day 2025 and its theme of #AccelerateAction, some of our leaders shared their thoughts and observations about a wide range of topics, such as their dream career when they were young, tips on navigating barriers and how to accelerate action in personal and professional environments.
Cate Prescott
Chief People Officer
What advice do you have for anyone trying to navigate or break through barriers?
Check yourself and make sure you are not creating an artificial barrier through imposter syndrome, which we women are notorious for! If you are clear that you are not, then know your capabilities – what’s your unique selling proposition (USP)? Make sure others know and see that. External networking is important, but don’t forget your internal network of supporters who can advocate for you and help to provide opportunities. Ensure they know what you are trying to achieve so they know how to help.
Growing up, what career did you dream about?
Yes! I wanted to be a nurse or a teacher because I wanted to help people become the best version of themselves in a supportive, psychologically safe environment. I get to do both of those aspects in the role I have today!
Kathleen Dobbels
VP, Field Operations, Government Solutions
What advice do you have for anyone trying to navigate or break through barriers?
The best advice that I have ever received is to be true to yourself, embrace opportunities that put you out of your comfort zone, seek out new learning opportunities, put in the effort, and focus on the outcomes you want to achieve.
Growing up, what career did you dream about?
When I was a kid, I wanted to become a veterinarian like my dad, but I ended up going in a different direction. Surprisingly, I do see some similarities. My dad was a hard worker, always focused on learning new things, from laser technology to Chinese medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies. When I look back on my career, I have always looked for new opportunities as well and enjoyed learning different things (at times going way outside of my comfort zone).
Archana Nagasivam
Director, Software Development
What advice do you have for anyone trying to navigate or break through barriers?
Pause and take a step back to view the situation, this time from a third-person perspective rather than through your own lens. When we're too close to our challenges, our minds sometimes revolve around them, making it harder to see beyond the barriers. Taking an outsider's view allows us to strip away assumptions, exposing the true barriers and gaps preventing growth and progress.
Growing up, what career did you dream about?
As a kid, I do not believe I had one dream career; it kept evolving. However, one thing that has been a constant since childhood is that I wanted to be impactful, make a difference, lead meaningful positive contributions, inspire others and play an important role in the success of an organization. At Verra Mobility, I’ve had the opportunity to make an impact, which keeps me excited, challenged and motivated.
Michelle Beer
Director, Global Distribution, Government Solutions
What advice do you have for anyone trying to navigate or break through barriers?
One of the biggest challenges is overcoming self-doubt or fear of failure. I’ve found that setting clear, achievable goals and celebrating small wins can keep the team and me highly motivated. Another key is adaptability. Sometimes, the path to the goal isn’t linear, and being open to adjusting your approach can help you move forward rather than feeling stuck.
Growing up, what career did you dream about?
As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a schoolteacher because I loved the idea of helping others learn and grow. While I ended up in the world of Trade Compliance and Logistics, I still see similarities between the two. In my current role, I constantly educate teams, provide guidance, and help navigate the business, much like a teacher does with their students.
Dani Schrakamp
Director, Marketing, Government Solutions
What advice do you have for anyone trying to navigate or break through barriers?
Always trust yourself. You can’t always please everyone, so it's important to learn to be considerate of where other people are coming from or that things aren’t always in your control. As someone who grew up surrounded by strong women, I will always advocate for others to find their network of women who inspire and uplift them.
Growing up, what career did you dream about?
For any “West Wing” lovers out there, I have always wanted to be C.J. Cregg or Josh Lyman. My appreciation and love for political intrigue have definitely helped to guide my career. I’ve always enjoyed working with government organizations to improve the services they provide and make lives better for the people they serve.
Jessica Geib
Director, Business Operations, Commercial Services
What advice do you have for anyone trying to navigate or break through barriers?
Start by starting. Procrastination can be a self-defense mechanism when a goal seems daunting, and choosing to start can be the hardest step. Plan to invest 5 minutes to think through barriers, identify potential paths to resolution, and focus on the immediate next steps for each.
Growing up, what career did you dream about?
I come from humble beginnings and never had a dream career when I was growing up. I was raised in a blue-collar family and began working full-time in high school. After graduation, I started building what would become a very rewarding career in the transportation industry. I was the first college graduate in my family - an accomplishment I didn’t achieve until 40. I’ve heard that luck can be found at the intersection of preparedness and opportunity, and I feel incredibly lucky and blessed that my dream career found me.
