Mark Spillane’s Post

From Mopping Floors to Mapping Futures: My Journey from Humble Beginnings to Leadership I still remember the smell of essential oils and the sound of Jazz & new-age music that filled the air at the health food store where I worked as a janitor busser and Produce clerk It was my first job extended job and where I built my tenacity, drive ,and fortitude, and ultimately rebuilt myself, and I was just 23 trying to make ends meet. Little did I know that those humble beginnings would lay the foundation for my future success.As I look back on my journey, I realize that I've outgrown the old paradigm that once defined me. I've shed the skin of my former self, and in its place, I've discovered a new identity – one that's rooted in leadership and a passion for empowering others. My 16-year journey in the retail industry was not without its challenges. I faced skepticism, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. There were times when I felt like I didn't belong, like I was just pretending to be a leader. But I pushed through those feelings, drawing on my resilience and determination to succeed. As I navigated the ups and downs of my career, I learned valuable lessons about perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to oneself. I discovered that leadership is not about title or position, but about influence, impact, and inspiring others to become the best version of themselves. Today, I stand as a testament to the power of transformation. I've evolved from a janitor at a health food store to a leader who's passionate about empowering others. I've discovered that my true purpose is to inspire, motivate, and equip others to achieve their full potential. As I look to the future, I'm excited to see what's next. I know that I'll continue to face challenges, but I'm ready. I've outgrown the old paradigm, and I'm embracing a new identity – one that's rooted in leadership, purpose, and a passion for making a difference in the world.

✨ When the universe has a plan you didn’t see coming… I’m excited to share that I’ve stepped into the role of Director, People & Capability at VHBA. This opportunity is one I hadn’t originally planned, but I’m embracing the idea of stepping into the unexpected and seeing what happens. This role is an incredible opportunity to lead a talented team and focus on shaping a high-performing, people-first organization. Over the next few months, we’ll be working on some exciting priorities, including workforce planning, strengthening leadership capability, enhancing employee experience, and embedding practices that ensure we’re ready for the future. Reflecting on the past year, I’ve realized that change often happens in unexpected ways. This new chapter is teaching me to lean into the unknown, trust my instincts, and embrace challenges as opportunities. To anyone navigating unexpected changes: trust the process. You may not know it now, but the universe might be steering you exactly where you’re meant to be. Here’s to leaning in, staying open, and finding purpose in the unexpected!

Since graduating from SUNY Oswego at the peak of the pandemic in 2020, I embarked on a journey I never imagined—into the trucking industry. Like many graduates during that challenging time, opportunities in my field were scarce, and I decided to step into a career I had never considered. At first, it was daunting, but over the past four years, I’ve come to see this decision as one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Through the highways and byways of this country, I’ve met extraordinary people and discovered communities I once misunderstood due to stereotypes perpetuated by the media. Traveling to places like Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana—places I once feared—has expanded my perspective, taught me empathy, and reinforced my belief in the shared humanity that connects us all. This journey has been more than a job; it’s been a lesson in resilience, understanding, and breaking free from the narratives that divide us. The trucking industry has shown me that everyone, no matter their background or where they’re from, shares the same hopes for peace, respect, and connection. As I look to the future, I’m excited to take the skills I’ve learned—adaptability, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for diversity—and apply them to new challenges. If we can all move beyond fear and embrace each other’s humanity, I truly believe we can build something beautiful together. I’m ready for my next chapter, eager to contribute, grow, and bring these values to a new role.

It’s my favorite time of year. Yes, the awakening of spring is amazing. But I’m talking about the NFL Draft. Over 3 days in April, 255 of the best college athletes come one step closer to their dream. They are selected to play for an NFL team. For the fans it’s like Christmas, with helmets. As I watched the tears and overwhelming joy wash over player after player last night as they heard their name called. Many of these young men have overcome overwhelming challenges to get here.  It caused me to reflect. As with everything, there are some personal lessons to come away with. The process and the outcome are oftentimes out of our control. Do what is possible to guide the process.  But understand that we 100% control our inputs. How hard do we work to achieve our desired outcome? How hard do we prepare? How much do we want it? Do we stop when we encounter a challenge? Do we have a positive attitude and desire to win? I am personally at an interesting point. I have a lot of future in my career but am considered seasoned after 20 years in executive positions. Finding a new position is, well, challenging. To succeed with this, it is necessary to control the controllables (preparation, attitude, and effort), go into every game (interview) with the belief that I will win, and keep moving forward with the understanding that, like the players in the draft, one lucky team will recognize value and make the pick. 

Helping another business out with a fast, tailored asset disposal route. What a turnaround!

📉The Human Cost of Corporate Decisions It’s beyond disheartening to hear stories of employees dedicating almost 40 years to a company, giving their time, expertise, and loyalty, only to be laid off via an impersonal email. Where’s the humanity in that? These individuals didn’t just show up—they helped build the foundation of these companies. They invested their lives, often sacrificing personal time, and in the end, they’re reduced to a cold, automated message. Companies need to remember: their success isn’t just about profit margins or stock prices; it’s about the people who contribute to that success. We talk about “employee engagement” and “building a culture,” but actions like these show where some companies’ priorities truly lie. This isn’t just about business—it’s about dignity, respect, and basic human decency. Let’s push for a workplace culture that values people, not just as resources but as the lifeblood of an organization. Employees deserve better than this. #Leadership #Layoffs #CorporateCulture #RespectInTheWorkplace

Change can be challenging, but it's also an essential part of personal growth. Each phase of life brings new opportunities and challenges, from career shifts and relationship dynamics to shifts in personal goals and beliefs. Embracing change requires resilience and flexibility. It often means stepping out of comfort zones and confronting uncertainty. Through change, we can redefine ourselves, develop new skills, and find renewed purpose. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 ❓ The other day, a client of mine—an incredibly talented woman leading in one of the top tech companies—shared something that hit close to home. She said, “𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙜𝙤𝙖𝙡. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚. 𝙄’𝙢 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚. 𝙎𝙤 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙙𝙤 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠?” As we talked, we uncovered the reason. She’d been laser-focused on excelling in her current role—refining processes, optimizing strategies, and delivering excellence. But she hadn’t stopped to ask herself: “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙢 𝙄 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜?” — What skills, visibility, or relationships was she overlooking? That one question changed everything. Within weeks, she started volunteering for strategic initiatives, seeking mentorship from senior leaders, and positioning herself as the go-to person for critical challenges. She didn’t change her ambition. She changed her approach—shifting from perfecting the now to preparing for what’s next. ➟ If you’ve ever felt stuck, even while excelling, ask yourself: “𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙢 𝙄 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡?” ✨ 𝗜𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲.

starting a new position as Vice President