What is your proudest achievement outside the workplace? How has it impacted you?

“Leave it on the floor!” my instructor shouted in his usual harsh tone. That was our cue to dance with everything we had left in us because we would never have that moment again. Music filled the room, and I began to dance. And then I was alone. The studio fell silent, the stickiness in the air cleared, and the energy radiating from those around me dissipated. The fundamental elements became a part of me and I was free to push in new directions, to truly create. Others noted how remarkably I moved that night.

There was nothing particularly special about that evening. It was just another late rehearsal at the studio. Yet for me, in that unassuming moment, the switch flipped. For the first time in fourteen years, I felt what it meant for dancer and dance to be one—to let the choreography move through me, devoid of ego and insecurity—so I could inspire the audience through my passion.

My dedication to dance has shaped me into the woman I have become more than any other life event or experience. For that, it is my proudest achievement. At the studio, never was a single moment wasted; even if I was waiting as others rehearsed a piece, I was silently stretching against a wall, holding difficult poses at the barre, or pirouetting in the corner—striving for perfectly balanced rotations.

Through dance, I learned what it means to work hard to attain a goal, and I found a fervent desire to do the work necessary. That drive enabled me to realize my goal of moving to Los Angeles. While my company had an “open border” policy for employees—once in an Account Director position, you could move freely between offices—it had never before transferred a Canadian to the US. That did not stop me. When I received my promotion, I kept my goal in mind and worked to prove myself at every opportunity to garner the support of my management team. Even once I had secured their backing, it took eight months of self-initiated discussion with several internal contacts to make the move a reality. In January 2011, I was offered a position at our Los Angeles headquarters, and subsequently became the first Canadian employee to transfer to the US. Dance also taught me the significance of embracing challenges. After daily technique classes, with a barrage of critiques still ringing in my ears, I would spend hours dissecting the movements—the precise muscular actions underlying every step. I would perform a skill again and again until my body memorized the way it felt.

After mastering a new movement, I knew I was capable of tackling any obstacle—even in my professional life. For example, upon inheriting the WAX account at work, I learned the client had spent the same revenue amount with my firm for the past seven years. No one had been able to spike the flat line. But I was determined to grow the account. So I re-approached WAX'S director of marketing to gain a more intimate understanding of the challenge at hand. By asking the right questions, I realized the obstacle could be overcome by creatively positioning the pricing strategy I devised. I succeeded in securing increased activity from WAX and exceeding my internal target: I led the WAX account to 327% of its annual revenue goal.But I never stopped trying to do better. Dance taught me the importance of taking risks to keep pushing my limits. During the workshops that kicked off each competition season, I would have just minutes to learn new choreography before taking the floor to perform for my peers. Mistakes were inevitable, but I realized that it was not missing a step that defined failure. Rather, neglecting to dance with abandon was the inexcusable defense. I learned to bare my soul, flaws and all, at every opportunity. If I gave fully of myself in every moment, I could only get better. Then I would have nothing to regret. With that courage and passion I am pursuing an MBA. And with the drive, determination and creativity I honed at dance, I can make the most of every opportunity available at UCLA Anderson.