Sabrina Wilson and the Power of Perseverance: Part 1 of 2

 

In the first part of a two-part Get Vertical! episode, host Mike McCalley welcomes Sabrina Wilson, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at dormakaba Americas. Wilson shares her unique journey and career, from her upbringing as the daughter of teenage pregnancy to becoming a first-generation college student. Wilson discusses the influence of her father’s resilience, the power of perseverance, and the absence of gender roles in her early life, which shaped her outlook and career. Wilson also shares her experiences at Purdue University, where she first noticed gender disparities and began studying Taekwondo, reinforcing her ‘can-do’ mentality. This episode provides an inspiring look into Wilson’s path to a successful career in human resources.

Recent Episodes

Professionals are increasingly questioning whether career success alone can deliver meaning, identity and long-term fulfillment. Coaching has moved beyond productivity hacks into deeper questions of purpose, faith and human flourishing, especially for leaders who want their work to create impact without becoming their entire identity. Research has consistently found a strong business case for…

Work doesn’t feel the way it used to. Between new tech, changing expectations, and the constant pressure to keep up, a lot of people—even those who look successful on paper—are quietly wondering what’s next. In fact, recent workforce studies suggest a large share of employees feel disengaged or uncertain about their next move, despite…

Stepping into a leadership role today isn’t just a step up—it’s a shift into constant visibility, where expectations arrive immediately and the margin for error narrows. As organizations flatten structures and demand faster decisions, newly promoted leaders are expected to deliver impact from the outset, often without the space to fully adjust. According to…