Today we’d like to introduce you to Heart Miller.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Heart. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
“Life” started for me when I was 23 – in a matter of a couple of years, I experienced what many do over a span of decades. Unexpected loss of my mother, graduating college, getting married, starting a full-time job, and having my first child – yes ALL OF THAT within two years! At the time, I was a planner of all things. I had milestones to achieve and knew when they were going to get done. While many of my peers were living out their young adult life, I was doing something out of the norm. From then on, I’ve always felt out of sync with what was suppose-to-be at that time. I nurtured and took care of the family first and foremost, working full-time to make ends meet, being the best wife and mother I taught myself to be. Growing up as a motherless daughter, I had to channel her in deep.
Going through college, my plans were to go into healthcare industry. Well, those plans changed when I became a mother. I stayed working for the University of St. Thomas – they were family to me allowing me to work full time and having a family. I started tinkering around software as an assistant in the Admissions Office. That job evolved into a Systems Analyst role and then Oracle, recruited me to be part of their consulting organization. This opportunity came at a time when my family needed it most; so I took the leap of faith and decided to get “on the road”. It meant sacrificing days and nights without the family because it meant traveling.
I found myself progressing into information technology more than I ever thought it out actually; this is where my father’s influence kicks in. 18 years later, I’m still in the IT space – amassed a number of system implementations under my belt and have built many professional relationships built from that experience.
Somewhere in there, I went through a divorce. Our family in shambles. This was definitely not in the plans either. We got through it, thank God!… and got through it together. Today, my two daughters are thriving in school, they feel the love of family and friends, and they also make time to better the lives of others around them through volunteer and faith based programs. Because of my job, I get to travel with them also and that has been our ‘jam’.
My daughters are the reason why I stay motivated and keep my eyes looking up!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As you can see, the road wasn’t necessarily smooth, nor paved. The one thing I leaned onto was my faith and belief in God. My faith has grounded and guided me to keep moving forward. At the same time, it also has led me later in life to stop planning so much, stop creating milestones for myself and to let go. I try to do so by staying in the present as much as possible and taking things in strides.
I still set goals for myself, but mostly its to keep growing and progressing – in all aspects of my life where it matters most. Setbacks have happened and I have made mistakes along the way, but I try as much as I can get up, put one foot forward, and most importantly, to learn from them. And then once I do, I also remind myself to not take things so seriously sometimes. I survive through laughter and sarcasm as well – my friends know this about me! It’s also those friends who have been there for me unconditionally (through it all) that keep my sense of self alive!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I get this question a lot! To put in everyday terms, I bridge the gap between (software) product and people – I represent colleges and universities and interpret their business needs into technology. So whether it’s an App or website, there’s a chance you may have encountered an influence of mine.
My job requires travel so I’m always on the go. Whether it’s to customer sites or to headquarters in California, I’ve learned to stay quiet mobile. I’ve also learned to travel light.
What sets me apart from others is I’ve been ‘in the shoes” – of the college student, of a mother checking her kid’s grades, of a counselor trying to build the recruitment class, of a systems analyst trying to code, and of a consultant who has gone through an implementation.
Workday is the company I currently represent and I couldn’t be more proud! Workday is internationally regarded for their culture, customer service, innovation, and employee satisfaction. I work in an environment that’s vibrant, creative, ambitious, challenges the status quo – all while working together as a team. I have the support and love from my daughters who breathe life and meaning to what I do, personally and professionally.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Thankfully there are now several companies and industry leaders (women and men, actually) who believe and support women, not just leadership roles but in any capacity. YOU, yourself, just have to be willing to put yourself out there and make an effort to connect. Now!…not tomorrow – is the time to take advantage of mentorship and networking groups. It’s as easy as going on LinkedIn and searching for one in your industry; or going to a local network happy hour and simply meeting new people. Find something that you are passionate about that bleeds into all areas of your life. I find smaller and more intimate settings as a place to introduce myself to people and finding out about common interests – I start with fitness and fashion. Just be intentional and be you.
Find one area of your job that you want to expand upon, be real about what aspect of yourself you want to improve on; or better yet, if you find yourself an expert in an area and are passionate about it, how about YOU being a mentor to others. It’s surprising how much help one gets him/herself by helping others – you find out more about yourself just as much. And if you don’t know where to start, I’ll help you get plugged in! But most importantly, surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you to evolve into a better person.
Contact Info:
- Email: heart.miller@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartmiller
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/heart.miller
- Other: www.linkedin.com/in/heartmiller
Image Credit:
Photography: Bryan Anderson; Makeup: Amber Correa
Emmaline Restaurant for the location of the shoot
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