INTHEVUE.COM | SEPTEMBER 2024 17 Liz Hammonds Organizations: Paducah Singers Member, Maiden Alley Cinema Board of Directors, Leadership Paducah Alumni Association Member, Paducah Professional Women Member, Paducah Young Professionals Member, Southeast Tourism Society Member, Destinations International Member, Kentucky Tourism Industry Association Member What career achievement makes you most proud? I am most proud when I am able to share Paducah with the rest of the world. My job is to promote Paducah as a travel destination and sometimes that means helping to center Paducah in big-time news media outlets like Southern Living, Thrillist, and Travel + Leisure. Let me tell you something - seeing the community I love so dearly lifted up on a national stage never gets old. Something a lot of people don’t know is that Paducah saved my life (I know it sounds dramatic, but it’s true). I was deeply unhappy in my old life until my husband and I had the same idea at the same time: “What if we start over in Paducah?” Relocating opened up access to the most vibrant, creative community I’ve ever known and gave me a brand new start in my career and in my relationships. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? The best piece of advice I ever received came from Mary Hammond. She used to say, “Hold your head up, you silly girl. Look what you’ve done.” I, like many young people, struggle greatly to understand my worth in a society that so strongly values money and power above all else. I often wonder if anything I do actually “counts” in this world. Self-doubt kills productivity but joyous and intentional belief in one’s potential paves the way for real change. Beyond anything else I accomplish in my life, I hope to one day be the woman in someone’s story who reminds them to hold their head up. Liz Walker Organizations: International Association of Venue Managers, Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce Member What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? Starting my career as a young female professional in a male-dominated industry posed its challenges. I dedicated myself to learning and listening, aiming to earn trust and respect within my professional community. Each challenge has served as a valuable learning opportunity, shaping not only my career path but also influencing my approach to leadership and advocacy in the workplace. What career achievement makes you most proud? With careful consideration and deliberation, The Carson Center remained open and operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team operated under a dedicated core staff focused on our mission in the face of incredible odds. We completely changed our operational structure, created new events, and engaged the community in unprecedented ways. Our team took on added responsibilities and brought forth creative ideas during these demanding times. With great challenges come great growth, and as a result, we believe The Carson Center has emerged stronger and more resilient. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? I have drawn advice and inspiration from numerous individuals whose guidance continues to shape my clarity and focus in the workplace. The following principles serve as my guides and motivations: Get comfortable being uncomfortable; Fail to prepare, prepare to fail; Find your vision and let it guide you; Operate with integrity; A gracious lady always rises to the occasion. These principles inform my approach and decision-making, ensuring I navigate challenges with resilience and purpose while upholding values of integrity and grace. Nick Henley Hobbies/Hidden Talents: Filmmaking, playing guitar, hiking Organizations: Paducah Chamber of Commerce What is one of the biggest challenges that you’ve had to overcome in your professional career? A challenge I encountered in my profession was managing client expectations and feedback effectively. Early in my career, I struggled with balancing creative vision with client preferences, which sometimes led to misunderstandings or revisions that were time-consuming. To overcome this challenge, I started prioritizing clear communication from the outset. I ensured thorough discussions with clients about their goals, preferences, and expectations before starting any project. I also began to present my creative ideas in a structured manner, backed by examples, to align expectations early on. By improving communication and refining my approach to client interactions, I was able to foster better relationships and deliver projects that met or exceeded expectations more consistently. What career achievement makes you most proud? Film Festival Winner What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? Embracing failing quickly to find successes quicker. By failing fast, you gather insights, refine your approach, and ultimately increase your chances of achieving your desired outcome. Embrace each failure as a stepping stone towards eventual success, knowing that resilience and adaptability are key ingredients to growth. Sponsored by 40 Under Forty Director of Operations, The Carson Center Director of Marketing and Communications, Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau Lead Videographer, Guerrilla Marketing
