Embracing the Unexpected: Career Resilience, Wellness, and Leadership with Jeri Hawthorne

Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for AFLAC, Jeri Hawthorne, joins us to share her incredible journey from Southeast Ohio to Georgia and beyond. Jeri opens up about the serendipitous twists and turns that took her from studying in West Virginia and England to enriching experiences in Denmark with Nova Nordisk. Her passion for cross-cultural training and international HR is infectious, and her stories reveal how embracing the unexpected can lead to a fulfilling career path. Whether it's her educational pursuits or professional triumphs, Jeri's journey is full of lessons on leadership and personal growth.

As we savor the rich flavors of France and Tokyo, we also tackle a sobering issue—stress and burnout in today's fast-paced world. With constant negative media, economic hardships, and the pressure to maintain a picture-perfect life on social media, maintaining mental wellness has become a Herculean task for many. We delve into how these pressures impact not just personal well-being but also financial stability, making it crucial to find balance in both work and personal life. Through this discussion, we aim to shed light on the complexities of modern-day stressors and their pervasive effects.

Our focus on wellness and resilience extends to the workplace as well. By spotlighting employee wellness initiatives, we share how our company, in collaboration with Corporate Chaplains of America, fosters a supportive environment for emotional, physical, and financial health. From executive coaching to resilience training, we emphasize creating a culture where authenticity and vulnerability in leadership are valued. This is not just a conversation—it's a call to action for embracing challenges, fostering a caring atmosphere, and leveraging resources that can enhance your professional journey. Whether you're a leader or just starting your career, these insights are sure to resonate and inspire.