Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our hope with the Portraits of Resilience series – we hope the stories below will inspire you to tap into your own resilience.

Eno Acha

Resilience for me was forged through a lifetime of learning from setbacks and navigating challenging situations. Coming to the U.S. as an immigrant, my journey was shaped by my father’s career with ExxonMobil, which initially provided the path here, but when his assignment ended, our family faced new financial challenges. Supporting three college-aged children on a Naira-based income from Nigeria was daunting. I knew I had to step up for myself—working at call centers and balancing a full-time school schedule taught me resilience in ways most students don’t encounter. I paid for books and tuition bit by bit, often pushing through financial strain. Read more>>

Juan Terrazas

Picture yourself as a teenager, suddenly facing life without the support of both parents by your side. That’s something I didn’t have to imagine because it did happen to me. At fourteen years old, my dad was deported, and my mom had to return to Mexico. Daily, I wondered if I had a future. I wondered if I would ever amount to anything. Growing up without my parents taught me how to be resourceful. I learned how to stretch out the very little that I had pretty far. At fifteen years old, my cousin’s boyfriend kicked me out. I had two options: sink or swim. As difficult as it was, I decided to swim. Read more>>

Erin Brooks

I’d say I get my resilience from my mother. I’ve seen life hit her with some heavy loads, but every time she’s gotten back up and fought 10 times harder. Read more>>

I’ve had wonderful examples from my parents on resilience, particularly within entrepreneurship, which I define as finding a problem and bringing creativity, skill, and experience to solving that problem and continuing to push even when it feels like you’re moving through molasses. Read more>>

Alexandra Goldman

Resilience is of the most important qualities to have in the art world, a notoriously unstable industry. The market fluctuates, many galleries come and go, and as art professionals we all have to be nimble to navigate the changing trends in how people are viewing, consuming, and buying art. That is why it has always been important for me to maintain my own brand, Artifactoid, where I write about art, curate shows, and create special art experiences for private clients, in addition to the roles I’ve held at galleries and museums. Having Artifactoid as a constant over the years has helped me to be resilient no matter what comes my way externally.  Read more>>

Arlana Brown

My resilience comes from life itself. Life shows up with challenges, and I’ve learned that you have to be adaptable or risk being consumed by worries. I draw strength from the people I look up to, I ask questions, and I’m always open to new ideas. Each experience and connection helps me grow stronger and more capable of navigating whatever comes my way. Maya Angelou is one of my sheroes. I often reference her because her life is such an inspiration. Her obstacles didn’t slow her down—they empowered her and propelled her to her next chapter. She showed me that challenges can be a source of strength and transformation. Read more>>

Selena Lincoln

I believe I get my resiliency from my parents. As a child I watched them grow and scale a trash business. They started with a small office in our home with a truck and trailer to multiple locations with thousands of customers and tens of employees. Unfortunately they did eventually close due to a variety of reasons. After dedicating 10 years of their lives, closing, and rebuilding and living an even better life than they envisioned, it just gives me great strength witnessing their evolution. Read more>>

Javier Lozano

My resilience is a product of the environment I grew up in and the people around me throughout it all. My mom played a big part for sure. When I was young we didn’t have much, but she always made sure we had what we needed and always kept a positive attitude throughout it all. The neighborhood taught me how to navigate through obstacles. My friends have helped a good amount as well and having people you can count on can make all the difference. Read more>>

Wendy Pardiac

This is an interesting question because I had no resolve as a kid. No work ethic, no confidence. If anything I would have preferred to melt into the wall and be unseen. It started in high school and elementary where I was bullied for a variety of reasons… the way I spoke, the way I looked. The fact that I was shy. I didn’t get good grades, I wore hand me down clothes and would rather drown then be called upon in class. I met a girl in 5th grade who had moved from another province, and for a reason I wasn’t sure, wanted to be my friend. I’m still unsure what she saw in me, she felt like my complete opposite; well spoken, unafraid of attention or speaking in public. She unashamedly raised her hand in class, stood up to people who bullied her, and shined in the classroom. She inspired me. Read more>>

Micah Kearns

When I was young I had undiagnosed ADHD, and I didn’t understand why things seemed harder to do than they should have been. But I was raised to be independent and not rely on or expect outside help, so I learned that if I wanted to complete something, I had to just keep churning and learning and put in the extra effort to make it happen. This process came with a lot of frustration and disappointment along the way, but I guess it was also exposure therapy to the discomfort that it took to reach a big goal. Read more>>

Lynnie Angle

Like a lot of people, I grew up playing sports and I think pretty quickly figured out that I enjoyed them and wanted to play at a high level. Becoming good at anything requires failure and taking risks and developing the skill of situational and self reflection to figure out what went well and where changes need to be made. So I think resilience really starts with being willing to fail and put yourself in positions to make mistakes and look silly. And then moving forward from those moments of feeling silly or disappointed instead of letting them derail your confidence or attitude for the rest of the game, season, sport, whatever. Softball was my primary sport, starting with t-ball and ending with 3 years at the collegiate level and sometime in about middle school my dad (and coach) really believed switch hitting would be a game changing skill to have. I am athletic.  Read more>>

Leonardo Le San

I must admit that resilience and tenacity continue to develop in me as I face struggles, suffering, setbacks, and obstacles. I was interested in the field of music from a young age. My parents were always supportive though not connected to the world of music. We were in a small town and the conservatories, and music institutions were in the larger cities of Colombia such as Bogota and Medellin quite far from the mountainous Santa Rosa de Cabal where we lived. Our small town had a lively folk musical tradition where I felt free to observe and wonder. In this environment, I was inspired to dream of someday becoming a professional classical composer and pianist. Read more>>

Stephanie Fugazzi

I think my resilience started when I became a mom at 19. Being a single mom to two amazing kids has taught me how to adapt, stay grounded, and push forward even when life feels overwhelming. In my career, I’ve faced countless moments of failure and made my share of mistakes, but those moments have been my greatest teachers. Each setback has shown me how to problem-solve, grow, and approach challenges differently the next time. Resilience, for me, is about showing up, learning from the hard moments, and trusting that every misstep is part of the journey to success. Read more>>

Crystal Kaufman

Life has a way of testing our resilience when we least expect it – and then testing it again, just to make sure the lesson sticks. My journey isn’t just about surviving challenges; it’s about transforming them into catalysts for growth and healing. It’s about learning that every setback carries within it the seeds of an even greater comeback. Read more>>

Julie Boettiger

In the world of Elementary Music, a music teacher position could be viewed as a “dead end job”. When I couldn’t squash the need to help teachers and to support by sharing a united voice for the underdog, I went back to school. I was a single mom and we made it work. I woke up early, leaned on my support system and continued to put one foot in front of the other. While each step may not have been the same size, or a few may have been followed by a step back, I persevered. I am the youngest of three children in my family. My oldest brother had three daughters, my middle brother has two daughters, and I have one daughter. Knowing that the girls would need a strong female example that could strive past divorce, abuse, and glass ceilings, I never let a “no” stop me. Read more>>

Tish Roberts

I believe that the resiliency that I divinely possess comes from years of life experience and overcoming challenges that most people unfortunately don’t. I was the first out of five children born to a single teen mother, so a lot of the responsibilities that come with having so many children fell directly on to me. As a young girl, I learned very quickly how to survive, cope, and make things happen. I learned whether you are ready or not, things and complicated circumstances will happen beyond your control. I learned that being able to mentally accept and process the problem, helps you do critical thinking for a successful outcome. There are many times in life that we all get knocked down, but the win is being able to pick yourself back up! Read more>>

Isabel Lamers

I believe that resilience is a skill we can build over time. I learned a big chunk of that in rock climbing. I remember once being in a route, lead climbing, and feeling that I was too weak to continue. My hands were sliding off the holds and my feet started shaking. But if I fell right there, I would have swung over to the other side and smacked the rock uncontrollably. It was too dangerous. And yet I couldn’t get to the next bolt, I couldn’t get a move in. I started panicking, I even became hysterical, crying and yelling at my belay partner about my life threatening situation. Then, when I almost couldn’t hold on any further, my body had found a position that locked me in between the rocks, not a real crack but I found two protruding rocks to kind of jam myself in and when my hands and legs gave in, I let go – and nothing happened. I just remained put where I was. I was okay. I could rest, and I continued on after to finish the route. Read more>>

Desmond Agyeman-duah

My resilience stems from my optimistic outlook on tomorrow. I firmly believe that in a split second, one’s life can change dramatically. This mindset drives me to make every day count, pouring my heart and soul into everything I do. Whether it’s delivering exceptional service to my clients, nurturing my loved ones, or cultivating meaningful friendships, I strive to give my all, every day. Read more>>

Elizabeth Converse

My resilience is a byproduct of facing and overcoming challenges and has become the foundation of my personal and professional growth. I can recover quickly from setbacks, withstand stress, and persevere through resistance.
I have always found strength in my mental toughness. Even when caught off guard, I’ve managed to confront external and internal challenges and emerge stronger.
Resilience can transform obstacles into opportunities for growth. Setbacks are temporary and offer a pause to adapt and move forward. This mindset has allowed me to face uncertainty with courage, learn from adversity, and develop the confidence to overcome challenges.
Understanding that time is not linear has helped my resilience. Read more>>

Marina Mara

My resilience is completely self-made—with no operations manual or shortcuts. Life has a way of throwing us in at the deep end, ready or not, often requiring us to rise to the occasion at breakneck speed. It’s in those messy, high-pressure moments that the real magic happens that arms us with the grit and skills that define resilience. Read more>>

Lyle Lopez

Early on in my career in my early 20s as an artist, I was based in mainland China as a product designer/artist for about 6 years, I had to learn their language, culture, and how to manage living the everyday life in China. In about 2-3 weeks, I was able to speak mandarin and get by independently on my own, and in 5 months I was offered a managerial role managing a handful of people and departments. So fast forward from being a Filipino, stationed in China, and now permanently based in the US, raising a family, and running a small business, using my diverse background, skills and creativity, plus strong faith in my creator is my concoction to being resilient. Read more>>

Anna Stoytcheva

I was born and raised in Bulgaria and lived there until I was 17 years old. At the time Bulgaria was still a socialist country, and many things that you wanted to do were either not possible or very difficult. For example, if you wanted to leave the borders of Bulgaria to visit another country – either for vacation, or to go to a music competition for example – you needed to get an approval from the government. If you were granted permission you could go, and if you were not – you could not go. I considered myself lucky that I was allowed to go to Brussels to participate in piano masterclasses with famous piano pedagogues and later on to Ettore Pozzoli International Piano Competition in Italy when I was 16 years old (I won that competition!). Read more>>

Paul Zeidman

I don’t know if I’d call it resilience. Maybe “stubborn”, “persistent”, or possibly even “too damned mule-headed to know any better.” I think a big part of it comes from simply wanting to succeed, no matter what I set out to do. Naturally, there are varying levels of success. It could be anything from replacing the faucet in the bathroom sink (thanks, YouTube!) to a first-time attempt at making croissants from scratch for my wife on Mother’s Day (they ended up being kind of meh). Read more>>

Matilda Corley Schulman

This may sound a little more morose than intended but, there was a point where I didn’t have a choice in being resilient. Where I either had to keep moving, or stop altogether. And I think we all have our versions of that moment, that one point in time where you have to choose how you are going to go about life. I also had a wonderful family to back me in that moment. Read more>>

Shawnee Penkacik

My resilience comes from deep faith and trust in God, love of my family, and giving back to those around me. A year ago, my life forever changed. The night before at my company which helped Christians launch nonprofit ministries, we were planning a launch to help leaders be rooted in their Identity in Christ. I knew we would be leaving the next day to go to Tampa to celebrate my son Brighton’s 13th birthday. Read more>>

Greta Zenelaj

I draw my resilience from my family and my faith. Being originally from Albania, I grew up with strong family ties. In our culture, family is the foundation, the rock that supports us in both good times and bad. My sister and I, in particular, have always encouraged and uplifted each other as we navigate life’s journey together. Read more>>

Jacquie Cohen Roth, Ms

My resilience comes from a few sources. Firstly, from my female ancestors, including my mother, who each survived a variety of traumas as well as challenges common to generations of women before me. My paternal grandmother literally ran for her life from religious persecution. When faced with challenges, I often consider if she could survive a program at age 15 and emigrate to the U.S. as part of her survival and life journey, I can manage anything. Another resilience source is my father, who was a World War II Purple Heart Veteran who enlisted in the army to bring his family out of poverty to fight religious persecution. Lastly, a critical resource for my resilience is myself. I know that having faced a variety of personal losses, including the death of an adult daughter, I’ve faced them all head-on. I have not only survived but also thrived. Read more>>

Nandan Pemmaraju

I never stop after a third failure. I keep going, failing repeatedly, pushing myself to the limits until I hit my lowest point—yet I endure, always determined to keep trying. During my second year in architecture school, I almost gave up. I was seriously considering leaving to pursue my growing interest in graphic design. For a month, I moved to Mumbai, one of India’s largest metropolitan cities, to work with a graphic design studio. However, my father’s advice changed everything. In a faint, almost whispered voice, he said to me, “Never leave anything midway. Complete it.” Read more>>

Phillip Cattley

I think a big part of resilience is being connected to something that is very important and crucial to you. We naturally work with ease towards something important to us so I think it makes sense to make sure what we’re going after is what we really value. Before getting into that it’s also important to note that we oftentimes make our decisions out of fear or other unexplored beliefs and choosing a path that isn’t true to us is already akin to swimming against the current. So to reiterate I believe resilience starts with finding out what truly matters to you and giving yourself the chance and generosity to explore it fully. This can oftentimes conflict with what matters to other people in your life but I think it’s a decision you make for yourself. Read more>>

Marissa Jean

I feel that I have learned to be resilient since a young age. I have always been very in tune with myself and attuned to my life around me. I knew when something felt right and okay, and when it did not, even if it could not get better because I was not the one in control I had to learn to adapt to conditions, as we all do growing up, and thankfully I chose resilience instead of accepting supression. Read more>>

Richard Zamudio

I believe that to be successful, you have to experience failure. Over time, the amount of failure experienced in their life will ultimately make them more resilient if they don’t allow the failures to overtake their confidence and their goals. I have failed many times in life, but I do not let that failure define me but rather I learn from it. When I first started as a photographer, I struggled but I stayed committed and learned from my mistakes, and that resiliency, ultimately has helped me to become successful. Read more>>

Kristin Clove

“My father taught me resilience not just through his work ethic, but through his belief that true fulfillment comes from loving what you do. He used to say, ‘You’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do.’ That advice has been my guiding light. He encouraged me to keep striving for what I want and to pursue what truly makes me happy. His words and example have given me the strength to push through challenges, always with the goal of finding joy and purpose in my path.” Read more>>

Gabriela Vega

1. Where do you get your resilience from? As a children’s book illustrator, my resilience comes from a deep belief in the impact of my work and the passion I have for storytelling. The creative journey is filled with challenges, from navigating rejections to meeting tight deadlines, but my love for illustrating stories that inspire and empower young readers keeps me moving forward. Read more>>

Debris Of Titan

Our resilience comes from the dream fueled by Nova’s father, who has encouraged us since childhood to believe in our musical integrity and desire to become a well-known musical act. With his support, our confidence and familial bond strengthened, we committed ourselves fully to this endeavor, regardless of the outcome. Read more>>

Justin Brunson

I think being tough skinned is very important. Growing up in the Midwest, you are taught to be resilient, not to give up and to keep pushing. If you don’t secede at first try and try again till you do. Resilience is something that is inside of everybody, but some people are just never pushed and give up to easily. This is helps me and my culinary and professional career as the best way to learn anything is to mess it up and try to make it perfect over and over and over until you achieve perfection. Read more>>

Kalsang Chomphel And Tenzin Tseyang

We are both children of second generation Tibetan refugees who were politically stateless for most parts of their lives and who have undergone multiple displacement in their lives – unwillingly to begin with, and then willingly at later times when it came to the question of survival and to make it in their lives. So inherently, resilience is something we have both inherited from our parents and family, having been equal participants in this journey of survival with them. Rising back up from the ashes is what has been normalized for us. There is no other way for us than to be resilient and strong. Read more>>

J Han

Throughout my creative journey, I’ve had the privilege of being surrounded by a community that is unapologetically loving and passionate. My mother and father immigrated to the United States from Taiwan and South Korea, respectively, and have passed resilience onto me through blood. Their stories and sacrifice have shaped me into the person I am today, and they imbue the stories I want to tell. I believe they are the strongest people I know, and their resilience has given me the confidence to tackle things head on, in spite of whatever is thrown my way. Read more>>

Chandia Chansrisuriyawong

I think my resilience comes from numerous places. I 100% get my resilience from my parents and the communities that I had around me while I was growing up. Also, connecting with my history and learning about it definitely gives me a resilience boost. I think my resilience comes from a long line of immigrants and underrepresented people who fought for their freedoms and still choose to walk through life with their head held high. It comes from a long line of women who never let their crown fall and who always kept their shoulders back. It comes from my ancestors which lead to the warriors I call, my parents. My mom whose family is from the Caribbean – Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to the other side of the world where we meet my dad in Southeast Asia, Thailand. ( I know, it’s a crazy mix ) And they both somehow ended up in the Bronx, New York. Read more>>

Alicia Vélez

Resilience is part of the family tree. For me, this starts with my grandparents on both sides who left Puerto Rico to come to NYC with the hope of a better life. The descendants of those from any diaspora are inherently resilient. To leave your home and have to start anew in a different place is an act of courage and survival. Resilience continued with my parents who worked endlessly to provide for my needs and level the playing field. However, a diaspora also creates difficult life circumstances that can manifest as subsequent intergenerational wounds.  Read more>>