Spotlight: Susan Salamone

1 - Where are you from, and how did you choose to live in Middle Tennessee?

I relocated here to Nashville a year ahead of my family to join a healthcare organization in the Nashville area. We were living in New Orleans at the time and had been for the last eight years. Prior to that, my family and I moved around the world because my husband was in the US military. We loved it and still miss the travel.

2 - What is your professional background, and why did you become a coach?

I studied international relations in university and planned to join the Foreign Service. Instead, I married my husband, and I got to travel around the world that way. Little did I know when I was studying international relations that I would become a diplomat  - just between people instead of between countries. I work in Human Resources, and my favorite part is helping people grow and develop. When I learned about coaching many years ago, it felt like a natural fit.

3 - How did you choose your specialty area?

As a military spouse, I spent most of my life transitioning from one place to another and from one job to another. I love helping other people transition their careers and into new roles. I especially love working with military spouses to help them maintain professional careers while moving around the world.  I also love working with leaders to create success as they move into new positions.

4 - What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards of your career?

The greatest challenge has definitely been maintaining my career as we moved around the world. we never really had a choice about where we went, so we landed in some pretty crazy places. The most memorable one was the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. I stayed there for about a month while I looked for a job in Seoul. The greatest rewards have come from helping other people grow and develop, both in my job in Human Resources as well as in my work as a coach.

5 - What is something that most ICFTN members would be surprised to learn about you?

I am pretty musical. I played the violin through middle school and high school, and recently got my violin back from my mom who had been learning at an age that I won't share. I also love singing and would love to perform on Broadway.

6 - How do you enjoy spending your free time?