Friday afternoon, I got the incredible news that my work has been recognized by our city’s Chamber of Commerce by being shortlisted in the Future Faces Awards for the Future Face of Sales, Marketing and Communications for the whole of the Greater Birmingham area. Holy smokes! I’m still in a bit of disbelief!

The Future Faces Chamber of Commerce is a branch of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce for 35-and-unders and focuses on professional development and networking for the area’s young professionals. Future Faces has been a huge part of my personal growth here in the UK, and its members have been some of my biggest cheerleaders.

Two years and four months ago, I moved to a country where I knew literally three people and started again. Birmingham – and especially Greater Birmingham – have become my second home and a place that I’ve grown to truly love. I mean, just look at that photo! Who couldn’t love a city that offers this kind of architecture, a decadent foodie scene, a vibrant arts scene, AND a reflection pool that inspires the kid in all of us.

Future Faces and the GBCC have been the wind beneath my sails to connect me with the people and organisations I needed in order to make a real difference. So to be honoured by the organisation to which I credit a great deal of my transatlantic success, in a city that is now my home, is a gigantic achievement to me.

The real surprise came this morning when the official announcement of the shortlist hit the internet. You guys, the caliber of the people on this list is unparalleled. I’m listed alongside people who have started their own charities, run their own businesses, and are directly responsible for the betterment of their communities. These are the people who are making waves in the Greater Birmingham business community, volunteering unending hours to worthy causes, and changing people’s lives. And somehow, my name is among theirs.

To say I’m humbled is an understatement.

This shortlist says a massive statement about the future of this region. And I can’t even begin to imagine the quality of the people who had to be cut to make a shortlist. Judges, I don’t know how you did it!

This year’s application asked for (among other things) the key professional and personal achievements over the last five years and the skills and attributes that have enabled that success. Putting together this answer was ultimately my favourite, as it allowed me to really take stock of what all these last five years have brought.

It’s so easy to live in the day-to-day, just working a day at a time to inch closer to those goals. But putting five years-worth of accomplishments in 300 words made me step back and appreciate the cumulative effort of all those days.

In 5 years, I’ve raised $27,000 for Snowball Express through the celebrity kart race, grown and subsequently shrank my communications business, moved countries, been promoted twice in 18 months, rebranded a company, earned media exposure of over £3.5 million, joined our local Chamber of Commerce executive committee, partnered with multiple retailers through my blog and Instagram, and volunteered over 300 hours to making music with the CBSO Chorus.

My suggestion to you? Do this assessment for yourself; put together a list of what you’ve accomplished in the last five years. Applying for this award these past two years has allowed me to take stock of both my goals and achievements. It’s a really nice reminder of the progress made this last year and a reassessment of where I want to go this coming year.

I also think it’s important to acknowledge that while this is an individual recognition, it was not earned alone. My colleagues at work are the most incredible teammates and supporters, working all day every day to deliver the best print marketing in the world. My friends are always there (and at any hour!) to listen and talk through all my crazy ideas. And my husband Martin is my absolute rock and best friend. Thank you to this year’s judges – Casey Bailey, Louise Teboul, Shani Dhanda, Mark Smith, and Rebecca Halbert – who had the immense task of judging and narrowing down all of the applications.

So while the September 20^th awards ceremony will honour all 47 shortlisted individuals, behind each of us is an army of mentors, friends, family, and supporters who’ve lifted us to success and trailblazed a path. And it will be our job, as the future faces of this region to do the same for the ones who come behind us.