Meet Susie Pinkard | Author, Stainless Steel Butterfly

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susie Pinkard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susie, what principle do you value most?
Honesty and authenticity are two values that I believe should be fundamental to every human being. But, to live those two principles requires one to love themselves. We all have things to focus on to improve and grow but when you recognize your unique value by being the one and only person made the way you are, you can see why it’s so important to share that person to the world. Not a modified version based on what you believe the world should see. Being the best version of me is how I feel I can make the most positive impact in the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a retired Insurance and Financial Services Executive where I spent 32 years. When I retired, I felt I was at the height of my professional leadership learning. I was wrong. Everyday I’m still finding ways to learn and grow but now it’s in different ways. I now coach and mentor young professionals and college age students. I want to share my professional and personal experiences in an effort to help prepare them for all that can come their way. Some of the topics are practical and some are more about human behavior, especially our own. One way to do this is by sharing many life and professional experiences in my book, Stainless Steel Butterfly, Building a strong foundation so you can fly. It’s a book to demonstrate how having a core set of values to keep you grounded, is so helpful throughout life. I’m very proud of the work the book has allowed me to do. It truly brings me joy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
At this stage in my life, I search for ways to relax. I lived such a fast paced life until I retired. I traveled a lot for work and had endless events and meetings to attend. With that said, I avoid anything that feels related to those days. I’m a people observer. I would take my friends to places where we could do that, such as the many beltway restaurants and hangouts. I even like to show them places like the Dekalb World Farmer’s market. That place is fascinating and because I have a love for cooking and have taken Le Cordon Blu courses abroad, I love the international vibe and the variety of items from all over the world. I steer clear of shopping malls and opt for the boutiques in Buckhead shopping area. The city has so much to offer and for someone like me who loves to sit and watch, the many outdoor restaurants are perfect.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am fortunate to have had many mentors and supporters in my life. With every role, including corporate executive, wife, mother, daughter and sister, I have paid close attention to others around me and sought to learn from them. My mother is probably the person I studied the closest. I saw her reinvent herself multiple times with the various life changes that occurred in her life. I watched her grace, dignity and kindness as she faced some of life’s most difficult challenges. She was a role model for how I have always wanted to be as I face my own challenges and triumphs.