Turning the Page: A Chit Chat about Choices

Turning The Page: A Chit Chat About Choices is a compilation of chats including a devotional section with questions for self-reflection. I had several chats with women who shared how the choices they made got them to the next page of their amazing gut wrenching stories. Some of the chats highlighted include stories about weight loss, depression, colorism, finances, adoption, sexual abuse, illness, marriage, boundaries and teen pregnancy. These stories will elevate, empower and motivate all of us to keep turning the page no matter how challenging things get. The women in Turning The Page: A Chit Chat About Choices were transparent and courageous enough to share intimate details about their lives. It is my hope that as we move around our daily schedules, we would be more patient with each person God puts in our path. We don't know what page of their story they're on. I pray each one of us would extend more grace to one another every single second, minute and day of our lives.

Kathleen McLean is President of The McLean Group, a New York State certified Minority Women Owned consulting firm that partners with organizations to create customized solutions that specialize in diversity and inclusion, team building and leadership development. Kathleen is a sought after consultant, motivational speaker, trainer, facilitator and executive coach. She serves organizations and her community with compassion, and integrity; inspiring each individual to be more, do more, and to follow their passion. Kathleen received her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College, a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Management from the University at Albany, a Master’s in Business Administration from Empire State College and received a Diversity Training Certificate through Diversity Training University International in October 2016. She is also an Adjunct Instructor at the Sage Colleges teaching World 401. This course engages students in an examination about how women influence and change their world, with an emphasis on racial identity development. Presently, Kathleen is a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, the Capital Region Woman of Color Professional Network, a member of the Leadership Advisory Board of Directors on behalf of the Free Your Mind Forum located in Dallas, Texas; on the advisory board of Mission Accomplished and on the Resourceful Women’s Leadership Steering Committee for the YWCA-GCR. In addition, Kathleen mentors multiple women throughout the Capital Region and beyond. Kathleen formerly served on the American Marketing Association Board of Directors as the Secretary and Chair of Programming and Events. In addition, she has served on the Advisory Board of the Lunn Foundation, the Schenectady Foundation Youth Allies Council, Sister To Sister Keeper Inc., the Cultural Diversity Business Council, and was a foster parent with Albany County Department Children For Youth and Families. Kathleen was recognized as a Community Star by Carmen Duncan, the CEO of Mission Accomplished Transition Services, for her volunteerism and support of the organizations’ mission to help millennials to enter the workforce.