Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hillary Combs-Orgeman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hillary, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My father is the hardest working person I know. I grew up in awe of his dedication to his career as an executive recruiter. Supporting a family of five in San Francisco, he is largely the reason for my perseverance in the work place.
As an equestrian, I learned that in order to win, you must put in the time and be willing to fail. Through the equine training process, I developed time management skills, consistency, patience, and grit to achieve my goals.
Similarly, my work ethic deepened when I found boxing: I knew I wanted to fight as an amateur and had no idea how much work it would be. Again, you must be willing to fail. You learn the most from the moments that make you want to quit. Will power and discipline were critical in getting me to my first amateur boxing match earlier this year.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I moved to Minnesota in the winter of 2009 from my home town of San Francisco. Here, I started my banking career—currently a Business Relationship Market Manager for Associated Bank. I specialize in commercial real estate loans, business acquisitions, and solving for various obstacles and pain-points in the small business life cycle. To ensure that my clients can find funding for their needs, I work closely with nonprofit alternative lending resources. One of the most rewarding parts of my job is the time I dedicate to teaching financial literacy and other forms of financial volunteerism.
My hobbies are what make me who I am: I have been an equestrian for over 30 years. I am a portrait artist, and most recently, an amateur boxer. I love to stay busy and destroy goals I set for myself. Having the ability to surprise myself is what gives me life.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I had always wondered why staying focused and even reading were challenges for me. A lot of people don’t know that I also suffer from social and generalized anxiety. I grew up with many fears and acute hypochondria. Because of this, the most important skills I employ are patience, self awareness, and goal setting.
I learned patience through my relationship with horses: an animal with free will is not always going to understand what you are asking. I trained my own horse right off the racetrack: he was sensitive and could feel my fear. I had no other choice than to dwarf my anxiety to benefit his growth. By setting weekly goals with my horse, I was able to measure our growth without becoming frustrated by our daily setbacks. Being aware of how he was perceiving me helped me change my enegery and attitude to ease his mind. This helped me develope critical introspection which I have utilized in the workplace and in my relationships with friends and family.
A safe place for self reflection is my art room. When I am creating art, I incorporate parts of my personality and dreams in my pieces. When I complete a piece I often journal about the process. That practice invites me to do the same for career and my inter-personal interactions. It’s a very vulnerable process which has slowly helped me work on my need for perfection and self-doubt.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I have been extremely fortunate to have had many impactful mentors in my life. The ones to whom I credit the majority of my growth are my horse trainers, my boxing coaches, and a branch manager in the first 2 years of my banking career.
I grew up with firm, direct horse trainers: there were no participation awards. I remember taking a nasty fall when I was about 12 and my trainer, Susan, asked, “can you wiggle your toes? If so, get back on”. I was sore and scared but I trusted her. She knew what I was capable of wouldn’t stand for my excuses. Because of her, I went on to win the High Point Combined Training award just before graduating high school.
My boxing coaches were similar: I have learned vital life lessons from them. One coach quoted The Karate Kid moments before I got in the ring for my first boxing match, “you can lose to the opponent, but do not lose to fear”. It was those words that got me through the fight. I think of that quote any time I feel my anxiety impeding my process.
My first manager in branch banking changed my life. I had a lot of self-doubt and never thought I was performing to high enough standards. When he approached me to say that he added an assistant manager role to his branch (they had never had one) and said he did it for me, he didn’t realize that would give me the confidence that has propelled my entire career. I went on to be the top branch manager in my company 5 times and now, as a business banker, in the top two in the company two years in row.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hillarycombsart?igsh=ZWl0MDBlZTk3Z3dh&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillary-combs-orgeman?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
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