Claire Kramer 39 Occupation: Organizational effectiveness specialist at Teachers' Retirement System of the state of Illinois Email: TheKramers515@gmail.com Education: Bachelor of arts in communications, currently working toward a master of science in organizational leadership
Family: Husband, Devon; Children: Leo (13), Julia (11) and Caroline (7) Affiliations/community activities: Helping Hands Meal Train, Elks Lodge #158 member What is your guiding principle in life?
Choose kindness, even when it's hard. I often remind myself that people may be carrying burdens I can't see, and I strive not to add to their load. My goal is to leave people and places a little better than I found them.
What led you to your current career? When I was younger, I thought I was meant to be a teacher. Over time, I found my path in talent development and training, where I've spent the last 16 years. I truly enjoy witnessing the positive impact personal and professional growth has in the workplace. It's a privilege to coach, collaborate, empower and celebrate my colleagues as they tap into their talents and discover ways to make themselves, their peers and our organization better.
What would you like your life to look like in five years? 10? I hope to see my family healthy and engaged in activities that align with their unique passions and purpose – ideally making a positive impact on others along the way. Professionally, my dream is to build and lead a team of diverse talent dedicated to developing and growing our organization.
What would you like to give back to your community? I intentionally design and deliver training that aims to ignite empathy, curiosity, fairness and kindness in the people I work with. I hope these qualities take root and spread throughout our wider community, creating a more compassionate and connected environment for everyone.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path? I wish my younger self had known not to be afraid to simply try. Everyone starts somewhere. Don't let the idea of perfection get in the way of progress. And most importantly, it's okay to not know everything – ask all the questions. What's the song you sing in the shower?
"Dancing Queen" by ABBA
