Each week on “On a Mission” we talk to community leaders who are out to make a positive impact in the area. Today, our host Wendy Norfleet talks to Heidi Katz from the National MS Society.

The National MS Society’s mission is to end MS forever, and help people live their best life.

To learn more, visit https://www.nationalmssociety.org

What do you feel are your key personal factors for your success?: Passion for the work that I do. In every step of my career I have been most successful when I truly believed in the work I was doing. Understanding this about myself is what led me to intentionally leave the “corporate” world and choose a career in the nonprofit sector.

What is the biggest mistake you would tell your younger self to avoid?: If you have to compromise who you are to meet the needs of a job, or to fulfill a relationship of any kind, you are in the wrong place.

Do you have a mentor and do you feel it is important to have one?: I have been fortunate to have had many Mentors throughout my life and my career. Yes, these people have played a very important part in my personal and my professional growth. These relationships have been based on trust and I truly covet each of them as Mentors and friends.

Is there a book you can recommend that would be valuable to read for a woman starting out in business?: No one book specifically. I recommend finding an author that speaks to you in style and content. I have always liked Ken Blanchard and Brene’ Brown personally.

How do you achieve balance between your professional life and personal life?: I must admit that this has been a challenge for me. As a single mom with full custody of my three daughters since my youngest was 2 years old I struggled balancing professional and personal life. It often felt like to succeed at one I would have to sacrifice the other. A few mistakes a long the way until I firmly committed that my family would always come first and I would have to find organizations that allowed for that. In interviews I would be completely honest and up front about my priotities even being so bold as to say if putting my family first did not meet the organizations cultural values then I was not the right candidate for them. I have had to walk away from opportunities but I can honestly say a better opportunity was waiting for me every time!