Byrnes, Micki

Education: Bachelor’s degree in broadcasting

Favorite Quote: “I haven’t quit the rat race; I’ve just signed up for the slow lane with snacks.”

First Thing I Do When I Start My Day: At 6 a.m. every morning, I let Jake the Wonder Dog drag me out the back door into a fresh, new world. His joy is boundless, the sniffing is endless and it always makes me feel hopeful for the day.

Most Important Leadership Quality: Empathy. If you can’t connect on a human level, if you can’t put yourself in their shoes and understand what they are facing, you’ll never be the leader they deserve.

If I Could Have Any Other Job: Children’s librarian. I’d crush story time.

Theme Song of My Leadership Style: “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves. It bugs folks to no end, but I’m an obnoxiously positive person. 

My Very First Job and What I Learned From It: I worked in a bakery through high school. They told me I’d get sick of eating sweets. They lied.