Michelle LeBlanc

We had a secret little wedding today.

As part of my fellowship, I was assigned an executive coach. One piece of homework from our first meeting was to list four reasons I am doing this fellowship. He said, "You're good at design. Make it a nice one-sheeter you can hang up." I didn't do either one of those things. Instead, I made a list of four things that I need from my work -- this work, and any work I do in the future. I made it a graphic I can use as my phone wallpaper.

Work is an area I am not willing to compromise on again. I need work that is challenging, makes a positive impact on the world, helps me grow as a person, and is flexible, so I can live the rest of my life.

Did you know that I worked at a business bank for six months this year? After I finished my MBA in February and was laid off from the marketing agency I was working for, I wanted to do something completely different, and decided to learn new skills while figuring out what that was. You should know, I can analyze corporate financial statements and recommend debt financing options now.

What I came up with was that I want to use the skills and experience I have gained over the last 20 years to do some good in the world, either in the public sector or the nonprofit sector.

Just over a month ago, I started with FUSE Corps, an executive fellowship program that partners with local governments to tackle some of our society’s most important challenges. FUSE works with cities across a range of issues, including health, public safety, economic and workforce development, climate change, equity, and education. My fellowship is a project in partnership with the LA County Department of Health Services to implement a strategic marketing function and lead a rebranding effort for the second largest public health system in the country.

It's a massive challenge, the kind of work I like best.