Guest Karen M. Smith DeBolt always rocked a put-together look—an important expression of her cultural and individual motto “Dress well, test well.” As her Colombian mother had made clear, in looking the part you could eventually feel the part. This was key for Karen who didn’t really feel as though Dartmouth was the right choice for her until she met her tribe of women friends sophomore year who she knew had her back.

After graduation, she understandably expected to live a fabulous life in New York City, working for Chanel. When that didn’t materialize, she found her way into McKinsey and Company, first in recruiting and later—after a stint in organizational consulting at another firm—executive development. Despite the hectic always-on-call pace, it was a kind of high style and high flying that she loved. When she found her husband, they were happy as the couple that traveled everywhere with no strings tying them down. But even though motherhood was never something to which she aspired, it came for her. And despite her best early efforts to make sure it would change nothing of her fabulous, hard-charging existence, a forced leave made her reassess.

In this episode, find out from Karen how uncovering new aspects of yourself can lead to both growth and fulfillment…on ROADS TAKEN...with Leslie Jennings Rowley.

About This Episode's Guest

Karen M. Smith Debolt (not to be confused with our classmate Karen E. Smith) has found many ways to reinvent herself after years in organizational design consulting and executive development. She lives in Chicago with her husband and only-child son. She continues to make herself greater each year.

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Making Karen Great Again: Karen M. Smith DeBolt on uncovering new aspects of who you can be

Roads Taken