Meet Trailblazer Andrea Palm-Porter

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Palm-Porter.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As the Executive Director of Roaring Fork Leadership (RFL), Andrea Palm-Porter is instrumental in guiding the non-profit to expand beyond its core leadership educational program to provide meaningful opportunities to practice and apply what has been learned for the betterment of our communities.

“Leadership is a way of life and a way to be fully engaged in everything you do.”

Palm-Porter’s career trajectory is impressive, with over 25 years’ experience driving strategic growth through strong leadership and relationships. She has worked in a multi-million dollar media organization, retail industry, and currently in the non-profit & leadership industry as the Executive Director of Roaring Fork Leadership. She attended the University of Eau Claire in Business Administration with an emphasis on Marketing – including a leadership curriculum. She also has many coaching certification related to Emotional Intelligence and Human Behavior. She is known for being able to grow revenue, be innovative, develop relationships, facilitate, define and drive product development, create awareness and execute projects with ease. A graduate and former board member of the Vail Leadership Institute, alumnus of the American Leadership Forum, and an Alumnus of the RFL Academy, Andrea is passionate about leadership as her personal mission is building a community of leaders. As she puts it, “A community of skilled & thoughtful leaders is a thriving & innovative community.”

She’s lived in the Colorado mountains since 1997 and is a mother to four: Tucker (17), Tessa (16), Brody (14) and Ruby Belle (12). She is dedicated to raising them to be amazing human beings with profound lasting relationships that will serve them throughout their lifetime. Andrea stands for contributing to a world of workability, compassion, and discovery. During her free time, she enjoys being outside on her bike or on a mountain — skiing down or skinning up.

RFL’s seeks individuals who engage in opportunities for personal and professional growth. Using a common language, experiential learning and skill development, we create connections and build leadership capacity. Our programs transform individuals by enhancing awareness of one’s impact and ability to collaborate.

In today’s fast-paced world – a growth mindset is needed now and throughout your lifetime. Never stop learning – will help you stay relevant, on top of trends, innovative and help you with new thinking. The easy button – is long gone.

When I entered college at UWEC – my college aptitude test results said I should be an Actuary. An Actuary analyzes the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. They use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk of potential events, and they help businesses and clients develop policies that minimize the cost of that risk. – Basically, an accountant on steroids. Little did I know that they can earn $150,000 to $250,000 (and more) annually. I never shadowed or even looked up what an actuary does, is, etc. My new adult independence and ego was not about to let me look at numbers, sitting in a cubical for the rest of my life. I needed more people interaction in a career than what I thought an actuary would do. (At least that what I thought.)

As I progressed through college – I took the business administration path – with an emphasis on leadership studies and marketing. I figured this would give me an all-around business background where the world would be my oyster. I kept finding myself excelling at all the math, left brain, logic type classes – to the point that I had to put minimal effort into achieving good grades in those areas. I wanted and needed to utilize the creative side of my brain – hence staying away from a life of numbers. A semester prior to graduating, my counselor said “you know you are only two classes away from a math minor – why don’t you stay.” I replied “why would I do that – what would I do with a math minor – teach?” Again – my ignorance got me.

After college working for a group of radio stations in Eau Claire, WI – I was tasked with developing my business, budgeting what my territory/business would produce in the next year. I put together my presentation for my manager mapping out the business I would lose, the business I would gain, the incentives and bonuses I expected to make, (does this sound similar to weighing the financial cost of risk to some degree????) Little did I know how I continued to gravitate to the financial/actuary behaviors.

As my career progressed – I had a job managing a retail store, then progressed into sales for a group of radio stations, to advertising manager – then on to Associate Publisher and Publisher of the Glenwood Springs Post Independent and a regional position as Director of Revenue Development around the resort areas of the state (Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, GJ, Summit County) for Swift Communications. At one point, I was giving my Chief Financial Officer ways to gather data that would save ad directors and publishers hours of brain damage in their analysis of preparing their financials and business plan to present to the owners each year.

Well – all this prepared me for what I call my dream job that I have today as the Executive Director of RFL. Today, I get to utilize my left and right brain. I run a business. I train individuals to be the best possible version of themselves – to be relevant, to stay on top of trends, skills and knowledge of what will make individuals successful in today’s job market, to be innovation, creative, a great decision-maker, collaborator, team members, to have skills to bounce back after hard times, to develop business strategies, to communicate better and build relationships. So check me out – I’m a teacher, I weigh the pros/cons & risk associated with new programs that RFL has developed, I prepare budgets, profit-loss statements, project revenue, and increase the human capital of this valley – all at the same time. I get to utilize my right and left brain – I get to be creative and logical.

Life is a journey. My guess is you all know about things you like to do, things you don’t like to do – but don’t be naive and think you know it all. I say the older I get the less I know. And it’s true – the longer I live, and with my growth mindset – there is more to learn in life than any human will ever be able to learn. My life advice for anyone – be a life-long learner, have a growth mindset – that is what will get you ahead in this world!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, I wouldn’t expect it to have been a smooth road. I’ve had hardships, uncertainty, and despair. Those situations that are the hardest in life are also the most rewarding. Without a challenge, you don’t learn. As a human being, having a human experience means experiencing life as it is. Sometimes we want life to be different and then find ourselves suffering in that space of wanting what we don’t have instead of accepting what is. Of course, we can dream big, set goals, and create our futures. It takes determination, hardships, uncertainty and despair to get to the other side of the rainbow. We have to remember, life is a journey, not a destination and embrace & enjoy the ride.

Advise: Three things. 1) Surround yourself with people who empower you, support you, and encourage you. They’ll be the ones who help you – discover for yourself – your own true abilities and dreams. 2) Develop your emotional intelligence known to be one of the top indicators of success in life. 3) Learn to give and receive feedback, this skill alone will help you be an awesome communicator, it will also set you up to be resilient.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Roaring Fork Leadership – what should we know?
Roaring Fork Leadership (RFL) is the most effective and respected leadership development organization in the greater Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. Through its actions and influence, it is a catalyst for powerful individual, team, organizational and collaborative community change and improvement. Developing leaders is our business! RFL provides access to new ways of being a leader – and we relate to everyone as the powerful capable leaders that they are. Our view is that leadership is not something bestowed upon us but rather a way of ‘being.’ RFL provides access for its participants to see possibilities where there were none, and gain a sense of personal efficacy – that they can make a difference.

RFL runs six programs:

RFL Academy: A 10-month intensive leadership program aimed at personal development, professional development, and community problem-solving.

RFL Mastermind: A 5-month collaboratively designed program by its participants who all are striving to attain goals.

RFL Live: RFL speaker series. Single, short hit trainings on topics ranging from women’s leadership to resiliency.

RFL Connect: An online volunteer matching system

RFL Colab: Customized training and facilitation for organizations

RFL Spark: Youth Leadership Programming

Andrea has provided training and facilitation for top agencies such as the US Forest Service, Colorado State University – Ft. Collins, Aspen Skiing Company, Roaring Fork Transit Authority (the second-largest transit agency in Colorado and the largest rural transit agency in the nation), City of Aspen, Pitkin County, Holy Cross Energy, and Colorado Mountain College. She has also individually coaches hundreds of individuals through her Emotional Intelligence Certification providing Emotional Intelligence assessments and personal and professional development coaching. Andrea is also certified in the Extended DISC and other leadership assessments and coaching modalities.

I’m a leadership junkie, which started in college when I took my first leadership class at the UWEC Leadership Institute lead by Dr. Douglas Hallatt. One of the exercises we had to do was an “emotional bank account.” I remember it well and was inspired by it, as I’m a certified master practitioner of (EQ-i 2.0/360) Emotional Intelligence. I coach and train on the topic within organizations and with individuals.

I also founded The Resiliency Experience through RFL, which is weekly one-hour webinars, Tuesday’s from noon-1P via Zoom, featuring leadership experts, including myself, in their field with topic varying each week related to resilience.

Other Community Involvements, Certifications & Trainings:
Master Practitioner EQi 2.0 and EQ 360 Certified (Emotional Intelligence Assessments, Coaching & Training)
Extended DISC Assessments & Training
Hardiness Resiliency Assessment & Training
Change Style Indicator Assessment & Training
Influencer Style Indicator Assessment & Training
Entrepreneur Edge Assessment
What Motivates Me – Certified Trainer
All In – Certified Trainer
Awarded Young Athena 2008, Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association
Valley View Hospital Foundation Board Member
Member, Glenwood Springs Rotary ’98-01, ’06-10
Member, Vail/Eagle Valley Rotary ’01–’06
Glenwood Springs Chamber Ambassador ’97-01
Chairperson, Olympic Torch Barrier Selection Committee for the City of GWS 2001
Buddy Werner Volunteer/Coach ’98-00
Coach, Colorado Rocky Mountain School Alpine Ski Team ’01
Alumnus, Leadership Vail Valley November ’01–February ’02
Board Member, Vail/Eagle Valley Rotary Foundation ’02-06
Alumni Committee Chair, Vail Leadership Institute
Vail Leadership Institute “Inside Out Leadership Program” – Fall ’01
American Leadership Fellow ’04-’05
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Crucial Conversations Training
Communication Skills Training
Mastering Leadership Training
Landmark Forum & Landmark Advanced Program
Master Life Coach, Transformation Academy
Facilitation Training

We’re interested to hear your thoughts on female leadership – in particular, what do you feel are the biggest barriers or obstacles?
I think women are held to higher standards, which impacts themselves to feel they need to work harder, which then takes away from their families and other passions. The work/life balance then becomes a challenge and women feel more pressure in life playing more roles (boss, mom, partner, community volunteer, housekeeper, decision-maker, friend, etc.) I also think women are more prone to self-doubt due to past generations where a lack of confidence can gets in the way for women to be their most powerful selves. Women need to tame their self-doubt, embrace their voice, and live big!

Contact Info:

• Address: PO Box 12095, Aspen, CO 81601
• Website: www.rfleadership.org
• Phone: 970-922-6035
• Email: andrea@rfleadership.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roaringforkleadership/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roaringforkleadership/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roaring-fork-leadership/

Image Credit:
Ali Marshall, Todd Patrick

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