Name: Kate Paine

Where were you born and raised?
Stowe, Vermont

What’s a short story around the biggest transition you’ve faced in life?
I’ve reinvented myself more than once, but the transition that taught me the most wasn’t a career move. It was leaving Vermont after a lifetime there and starting over in Colorado in my late 50s. Vermont wasn’t just where I lived; it was who I was. My network, my reputation, my sense of place were all rooted there. Starting over somewhere no one knew me meant rebuilding my identity from scratch, not just my address book. That experience is exactly why I do this work with the Honor Foundation today, and why I feel it when I sit across from a Fellow who’s trying to figure out who they are on the other side of their service. I’ve been that person. The zip code was different, but the disorientation was the same.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a younger you?
Pay closer attention to the people you respect. You’ll hear them when you’re young, but there’s a difference between hearing and actually listening. The lessons they’re sharing come from hard experience. Had I absorbed more of that wisdom earlier, I’d have saved myself a few unnecessary detours.

Your Personal Why?
Listen to others’ stories, be truly interested in them, ask questions and dig deeper. Our personal stories are so important. We can better understand others and ourselves if we understand our stories. Try to remember it’s not all about you.

How does your Why drive you to be a part of the THF Ecosystem?
My expertise is to help individuals tell their story, which builds and establishes their personal brand so they have a solid foundation from which to promote themselves and their expertise. It’s important to understand that an aspect of one’s story will help provide a foundation for what you want to do in your career. People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. I want to help transitioning veterans define their personal brand and leverage it on LinkedIn to stand out from others so they find their success in their personal and professional lives.

Military Connection or Why do you respect Special Operators?
My connection to military service is personal. My father served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and my uncle served in WWII and was taken prisoner during the Battle of the Bulge. His family had no word of him for over six months. He was one of the fortunate ones who came home and at 6′ 8″ he was emaciated upon his return. Growing up with that history gave me a deep respect for what service asks of a person and of the families who wait. When I meet with THF Fellows, I’m not just a LinkedIn trainer. I’m someone who understands what it means to come from a family that answered the call.

Favorite THF Value, and why?
Plan for Achievement – If you’re not always looking to where you want to end up, then you’ll have a tough time getting there. Always looking just in front of you is necessary but stay focused on where you’re headed, too. You need to keep the Big Picture in my mind.

Area/Industry of expertise:
Faculty – Using LinkedIn to identify your personal story, define your personal brand, and position you so you get noticed by hiring managers, recruiters, industry peers, and develop yourself as an influencer in your field of expertise.