WHAT SKILLS DOES A GREAT LEADER NEED? Coaching and mobilizing. I don’t believe in the “lead by example” mantra. You can be a person that does everything “by the book,” but if you can’t mobilize people to follow you, and coach them how to do it correctly, then you’re more of a performer than a leader.
HANNAH UHLRIG Deputy Director of Public Works City of Topeka
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Challenge of learning or trying something new, I am most excited and engaged when presented with something that I must push myself to figure out.
THE MOST SPONTANEOUS THING YOU’VE EVER DONE? Changed careers and moved to Topeka! I lived in Washington D.C. for the last seven years working in medical sales management. After I finished my MBA, my wife and I decided to slow things down a bit and move out of the nation’s capital. FAVORITE COLLEGE JOB? I worked as a bouncer and bar manager while in college. It was a great opportunity to network with other students and people in the community and also experience managing a small team in a low-risk/stress environment...came with great discounts as well!
IMPORTANT TRAIT OF A LEADER? Being adaptable. Things are always evolving, and a good leader needs to be able to not only recognize these changes but also pivot as needed.
YOUR SECRET TO YOUTHFULNESS? A mix of a good hairstylist, daily exercise routine, and a strong desire to prove my boys wrong when they say I’m old!
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MARCH/APRIL 2022
Chief Strategy Officer Capitol Federal®
YOUR TYPICAL WEEKEND ACTIVITY? Golfing or running with our Golden Retriever, Weller.
ADVICE FOR A YOUNG WOMAN ENTERING HER PROFESSIONAL CAREER. Be authentically you—comparison will hold you back from your own strengths. While you may look around and see other women that have other talents you don’t possess, your strengths could be the difference maker. Be smart, but trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to use your voice and your ideas to create new pathways that are different than the way things have always been done.
WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING YOU EVER HAD TO DO? My sister and I lost our father when I was a senior and she was a sophomore in high school. I had planned on moving to Topeka to attend Washburn, but given the situation, had to decide whether to do a different path. I ended up enrolling at K-State Salina for my first two years and then transferring when my sister could move with me and attend Washburn as well. Dealing with such a large loss at a young age is hard enough but doing so while also taking into consideration someone else’s needs before your own desires was extremely hard. This experience taught me that the right path is often not the easy one, and that when plans change, you often end up in a better place than you originally planned.
BILLY SKROBACZ
SARAH LUNDRY Culture Specialist Advisors Excel
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR CORE STRENGTHS? Encouragement, relationships, and building community. Making people feel good is something that comes naturally to me. I love to see others win and do what they were designed to.
TK Business Magazine
WHY TOPEKA? I grew up in Topeka (from 6th grade through high school). I moved back, temporarily, as a pit stop before moving out of Kansas for good. “Six months tops” I told myself, but eight years later, I’m still here. I met the love of my life, found a career path I am beyond passionate about and have fallen in love with Topeka. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? My relationship with Jesus and reminding others of their worth and how beautiful this life is despite their circumstances.
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