Preston Hollow North
BRIGITTE KIMICHIK say hello
BRIGITTE GAWENDA KIMICHIK
BREAKING
BARRIERS AND BUILDING BRIDGES IN THE WORKPLACE
HOW THE AUTHOR OF PLAY NICE AND PLAY SMART IS HELPING PROFESSIONALS THRIVE
Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik has spent 30 years navigating a male-dominated industry, turning her career into a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and collaboration. Her experiences shaped her approach, which emphasizes positivity, patience, and a bit of humor. Through a book series entitled, The Sandbox Series, she shares her insights to empower both men and women to cultivate healthier, more effective workplaces.
Book one in the series, Play Nice - Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace (co-authored with JoRayne Tomlinson), released in 2019, and book two, Play Smart - Playground Strategies for Success in a Male-Dominated Workplace, launched on October 30, 2024. The concepts within the two books resonate with readers grappling with workplace dynamics. Both books serve as transformative tools, providing practical strategies that enable individuals and teams to thrive.
LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE: A CAREER IN A MALE-DOMINATED FIELD
The inspiration for The Sandbox Series emerged during Kimichik’s tenure as a commercial real estate attorney. As she advanced in a male-centric profession, she witnessed the hurdles women encountered in their career paths. “I saw talented women held back by systemic barriers, unconscious biases, and a lack of mentorship opportunities,” she recalls. Her resolve to find constructive solutions led her to navigate challenges with patience and humor. These observations became the foundation of her writing. Brigitte felt a strong urge to educate others about what works in building equitable, respectful, and effective workplaces. “After 30 years in the field, I wanted to give back by educating others,” she explains.
THE MISSION BEHIND PLAY NICE
Play Nice acts as a wake-up call for workplace respect and accountability. It focuses on the significance of proper behavior and the dangers of remaining a passive bystander. No matter the gender, the book provides actionable strategies to identify and challenge inappropriate actions—such as harassment or microaggressions—in real time. “Changing workplace culture starts with awareness and action,” Brigitte asserts. “This book [empowers] readers to stand up for themselves and others while maintaining professionalism.”
Brigitte emphasizes the importance of educating men about the challenges women face at work: “Most men wouldn’t want their sisters, daughters, or mothers to experience inappropriate behavior at their jobs. By fostering awareness and action, we create environments where everyone feels respected.”
UNLOCKING POTENTIAL WITH PLAY SMART
In Play Smart, Kimichik delves deeper into common obstacles women encounter in male-dominated sectors, such as pay disparities, exclusion from leadership
“PLAY SMART DELIVERS A COMPELLING BLEND OF HEARTFELT ADVICE AND HARDHITTING STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN NAVIGATING MALE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENTS IN ANY FIELD OF WORK. AS A VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON WORKPLACE GENDER EQUALITY, IT OFFERS A UNIQUE AND ESSENTIAL PERSPECTIVE ON ACHIEVING PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE.” – DR. CHITRA FINE, MD, ANESTHESIOLOGY (RETIRED)
PHOTOS BY JIN KIM STUDIO
“WHAT I APPRECIATED MOST ABOUT PLAY SMART WAS ITS CLEAR EMPHASIS THAT RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE BEGINS WITH EXCELLING IN THE TASKS ASSIGNED TO US. [THIS IS] A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT EVERY WOMAN CAN AND SHOULD ADOPT. [PLAY SMART] EFFECTIVELY ILLUSTRATES HOW FOCUSING ON PERSONAL PERFORMANCE CAN PAVE THE WAY FOR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS AND RESPECT IN THE WORKPLACE.”
– SHAUNA KING, CHIEF TRANSFORMATION OFFICER, PEPSICO (RETIRED), VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS, YALE UNIVERSITY (RETIRED)
roles, and biases. The book equips readers with strategies to build professional networks, advocate for themselves, negotiate salaries, balance career and parenthood, and navigate the boys’ club mentality in corporate environments.
Importantly, Play Smart isn’t exclusively for women. Brigitte clarifies, “It’s also about educating men on the vital contributions women bring to the workplace and why their support is essential.” When men and women collaborate effectively, companies experience significant benefits in morale, innovation, and profitability.
BUILDING A MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE
Brigitte’s dedication to advocacy and equity fuels her passion for writing. The metaphor of “the sandbox” reflects her belief that essential values—like respect, fairness, and collaboration—are first nurtured in childhood and learned on the playground. Her mission involves bringing these values into professional settings, where they are often overlooked.
The books have garnered praise for combining relatable anecdotes with practical tools and motivational insights. Readers describe them as “a wake-up call for personal accountability” and “a guidebook for transforming workplace culture.”
Ultimately, Kimichik aims to inspire professionals to become the best versions of themselves—not only for their careers but also for the benefit of their colleagues and organizations. Her work challenges readers to embrace accountability, confront inequities, and pursue collaboration, fostering stronger, more successful workplaces.
“Creating a healthier work culture isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do,” Brigitte asserts. “When everyone feels valued and respected, the results speak for themselves.”
In summary, Brigitte Gawenda Kimichik’s journey offers valuable lessons for navigating and transforming workplace dynamics, paving the way for a future in which respect and equity thrive.
Originally from Germany, Brigitte earned her Abitur in Hamburg in 1980 and graduated with honors, later earning her BBA from the McCombs School of Business in Austin, Texas, in 1983. She obtained her JD from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1986, since gaining over thirty years of experience as a commercial real estate finance attorney, holding partner roles at Andrews Kurth LLP and Sheinfeld, Maley, and Kay. In 2012, she received the Most Powerful and Influential Women of Texas Award. Now retired, Brigitte has authored two books in The Sandbox Series and lives in Preston Hollow with her husband, David. The couple has two accomplished adult daughters, Nicole and Samantha.