Mari Kay-Nabozny
Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
Ashland, WI USA
"You only get so much time, so make the best that you can with the time that you have."
Career Roadmap
Mari's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Government, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Outdoor Education
Northland College
Graduate Degree
Parks & Recreation Management
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a CEO:
Bachelor's Degree: Outdoor Education
Graduate Degree: Parks & Recreation Management
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in the small town of Ashland, Wisconsin.
2.
In high school, I spent four months as a foreign exchange student in Italy—this transformative experience pushed me towards wanting to pursue international business.
3.
I went to St. Norbert College for international relations but realized that the school and major were not right for me—I ended up graduating from Northland College with a degree in outdoor education.
4.
I spent a few months after college exploring the national parks in the West.
5.
When I got home, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in parks and recreation management.
6.
I started working for a workforce development organization after graduate school, where I helped coordinate and manage a high school summer camp program.
7.
I’ve spent 22 years with the organization and currently run the workforce development board as CEO.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
Why did you stay in your tiny, rural hometown? Why did you take that job? Why didn't you leave?
How I responded:
As I was entering into my career, I received some criticism from my peers who had all moved to other bigger and cooler cities. I felt embarrassed that they judged me for staying to work in my hometown. But I have a great job here and I enjoy the quality of life a small town gives. I just try to focus on the positives when I hear this type of noise.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
After a bad experience in a class, I decided college wasn't for me and I was going to do something else. My parents didn't allow that though, so I switched schools and changed majors. The pivot was a much better fit for me.
Running a very large team of people and partners with a very large geography can get stressful. I've gone through every single emotion, good and bad. When things get bad, I just stop, take a breath, and remember my core values.