Because no degree teaches what life has already shown you. When people ask me about my background, I could list my awards, my businesses, or my years of professional experience, but the truth is, none of those things define who I am or what I bring to the stage. What truly qualifies me to speak about resilience, leadership, and hope is my lived experience . It’s the battles I’ve fought, the losses I’ve survived, and the lessons I’ve learned when life brought me to my knees. N