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Kathy Bourque and her husband of 29 years are empty nesters with their one son off to college for aviation. Kathy says her life has been a kaleidoscope of adventure and careers and calls herself a late-in-life student. She’s owned a UPS Store Franchise, managed a restaurant, raised funds as a healthcare nonprofit executive director, and now does leadership development and facilitation.
Kathy’s main passion is “exploration” which feeds her love of travel, her practicing of as many crafts as she can learn, and her love of rambling walks wherever she finds herself. Kathy splits her time between Lincoln and Ogallala, Nebraska and Orlando, Florida. Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn.
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IN WHICH GENERATION DO YOU BELONG?
Gen X: 1965 – 1980
DO YOU WORK? IF SO, WHAT DO YOU DO?
Leadership Development and Facilitation for Leadership Resources
HOW ARE YOU MOST DIFFERENT FROM THE 25-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF YOURSELF?
I’m not a lot different from her. I still love to take risks and go after what I want to do at the moment. I would like to say I’m more confident, but I think she was too. It’s just a different form of confidence now. Back then, it was one of arrogance. Now, it is one that understands that whatever I decide to do, I will have my own back and will be able to figure it out.
WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED ABOUT YOU?
My drive and ambition. I keep telling myself to slow down and smell the roses, but I still love to move and explore.
GOOD OR BAD, WHAT ABOUT MIDLIFE HAS SURPRISED YOU SO FAR?
The good is the inner, more wise, confidence that I feel now. The not-so-happy part is the challenge of caring for our aging parents.
WHAT ONE HABIT ARE YOU ACTIVELY WORKING ON THESE DAYS?
Patience. I have never, and I mean NEVER been a patient person. But a lot of my recent life changes have challenged me to be patient to wait for what I want.
WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY THESE DAYS AND WHY?
Long rambling walks. Whether it’s through my newfound neighborhood in Lincoln or going to a park and walking trails, I just love to be outside and explore through walking. When we travel, I always wake up earlier than my family so I can go for a long walk.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THESE DAYS?
The work that I am now doing. I have always been passionate about developing leaders and now I get to do it day in and day out. Great leadership makes all the difference!
IF YOU COULD GIVE A 20-YEAR-OLD PERSON SOME WORDS OF WISDOM OR PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT MIGHT IT BE?
Compare yourself only to yourself and where you want to go.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER/BAND GROWING UP?
Wow…just one??? 38 Special
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