[private][private]Melissa (“Missy”) Lavender graduated with an MBA from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. Prior to founhttp://www.passionsandpossibilities.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Missy-Lavender-e1271573084498.jpgding WHF, her professional career was focused on real estate, finance, and investments. Missy is actively involved with her childrens’ schools, a member of the Leader Council for Mercy Homes for Boys and Girls, and sings in the chapel choir at St. Clement Church.Missy lives and works in Chicago with her husband, two children, and their dog Beeb. She has appeared on a variety of media channels, including her recent, intriguing interview on The View, with Whoopi Goldberg.

We recently interviewed Missy on our radio show, The Passions and Possiblities Project and you can listen to her archived show below.  We were especially struck by her desire and perseverence to shed light on an oft-tabooed topic.  A true Passioneer, thank you Missy and Happy Passioneering!

Our Written Interview with Missy

SO: Your definition of “passion” – your “WHY” for being on the planet?

That feeling of ultimate joy – when you want to “dive deep”, when you want to push through real or perceived barriers, when you want to share what you love with everyone around you.

SO: Your biggest passions for serving others, and how you’re expressing them (include hobbies, volunteering, if you wish)?

Besides WHF, I love two organizations that educate, house and feed the soul of young, at-risk children – Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and Josephinum Academy.  I am on the Leader Council at Mercy and get involved with all our events for the boys and girls there.  With Josephinum, I’m committed to bringing our messages of pelvic health to these girls and to adding to their donor base.Finally, I am passionate about music and express that by singing in our church choir, which I affectionately call the “rock ‘n roll Jesus church”!

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in expressing your passions for serving others and how you’ve addressed them?

Most of the challenges I experience are with WHF.  Primarily it is a funding issue and a name recognition/support issue. Every year, every month, every day we need to be in front of as many people that we can – so that 10 – 20% of them will “get it” and want to help us help women.I also make sure I do a lot of yoga and other restorative work on my body and soul to keep it pumped!

SO: What has been your experience of prosperity, as you define it?

When you have all you need and then some. For me, it was getting to a place of financial self-sufficiency and buying my first house.  In our work, it is when we are recognized and accepted by the science side of where we live – the docs and PT’s.

SO:  The biggest lesson that you’ve learned in making the leap?

When confronted with a challenge or a “no” – ask three times.  It’s amazing, when you give someone a chance to see your request in a different light – with a different “ask”, how the possibilities open up.  It is also a lesson about always having a contingency plan

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

My family, friends and business colleagues.  I started First Tuesday 14 years ago as a way to gather like minded, spiritually rich women together to make new connections and increase our base of sister support.

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

Change is ALWAYS good.  Fear is the biggest paralyzer – fear of the unknown keeps us small and it is usually more scary to sit and ponder, than to DO.

SO: What’s your next big milestone?

I want to change legislation and health policy, so that our tips and topics of women’s pelvic health are part of what young girls learn in 5th and 7th and 9th grade health classes.  By doing so, we potentially stave off huge health care costs and the pain and suffering of girls and women long-term.[/private][/private]