Rising ICON #21: Maria Vittone
What name do you prefer to be called?
Maria- like how do you solve a problem like… 😉
What are your pronouns?
She/Her
Where did you grow up?
Stevens Point, WI (but I like the Packers, Badgers & Gophers)
What city are you currently based in?
I live in Maple Grove/work in Brooklyn Park & Eden Prairie
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
Hi, I’m Maria. Nice to meet you. I love to help people connect to the workforce and am passionate about supporting students who are in nontraditional careers for their gender. How about you?
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
That I have lived internationally and have had to continually adjust my expectations of career, work, and family. My life has always happened in the transitions.
Who do you help?
Women and men pursuing a nontraditional career for their gender.
What are you building now?
Be Bold-Break the Mold: Women Succeed in Nontraditional Careers Mentoring Program which supports women to enter AND stay in their career fields where they are one of few. I want to build a community that reinvests in women so they feel they can lift as they rise.
What were you building ten years ago today?
I was raising two fierce daughters and living in Seattle, WA.
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
I’ve always had to ‘bloom where I was planted’ and couldn’t have predicted many aspects of my life, so I lean into its next surprise. It’s not that I don’t like to plan, but in knowing that I am on the right path at the moment makes me feel secure to trust the process and follow future me. Check back with me in 10 years please!
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Two-year degrees open doors to millions of people every year in fast growing occupations that pay well- and the best part is that they are typically very affordable.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
Because I see women making bold moves in my mentoring program. I see community building here that feels like the epic story of that has been told since the beginning of time- women who thrive by trusting each other. And the story of ‘Men Who Care’ is just beginning to unfold, so it is like I have two great books going at the same time.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
I’ve had so many wonderful mentors in my career and all of them have told me that I must take care of myself first. I try to do selfcare multiple times a day.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
The HEED Award – Higher Education Excellence in Diversity for North Hennepin Community College- received in 2021 because of our many diversity initiatives (including Be Bold-Break the Mold Mentoring Program)
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
The MN Women’s Press would be an honor.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Angela Davis of MPR- she is unbelievably brilliant.
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
’How to be more Tree’- love that little book and the idea that we must take lessons from nature as we navigate life transition. (Can I give a Ted Talk on someone else’s book?? Not even sure.)
What award would mean the most to win?
Any award from my students would mean the world to me.
What makes zero sense to you?
I’d love to see more local employers recruiting at 2-year community & technical colleges. We have excellent and diverse talent right here in our own backyards that are workforce ready.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Student debt- hoping all have equal access someday to further education.
What game are you changing?
Widening the lens of career options- not based on gender stereotypes.
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
I’m so excited to build out my newest career program called ‘Men Who Care’. We need more male-identifying helpers in our world. Caring isn’t a female trait and men are excellent once given the opportunity to consider a caring career. I would know- I grew up with a father who was a nurse!
Where can we follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariavittone/
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Letting those you serve share their talents.
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Maria, for sharing your story!
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“I want to build a community that reinvests in women so they feel they can lift as they rise. ”
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