Tanida Mullen—Pulling Wisdom out of Her Pockets
By Mandy Shelton | Photography by Justin Borja
During a break between speakers at the recent Take the Lead Health and Wellness Brunch in Killeen, event organizer Tanida Mullen steps up to the microphone to make an announcement. “I have to share something I just learned,” she tells the women gathered in the audience, who lean forward expectantly. “This dress has pockets.”
She shows off her leopard-print dress to a round of applause and nods of appreciation. Once conspicuously absent from women’s clothing, the often-overlooked pocket has become a low-key symbol of female empowerment, a subject that is on everyone’s mind at this women’s leadership brunch.
“You never know what you’re going to have to pull out of your pocket,” Mullen says later. She had been observing from the back of the room when she absentmindedly discovered her ensemble’s hidden feature. “I put my hand in my pockets and I was like, ‘Oh, this is on.’ It takes everything to the next level. I’m going to have my cell phone in here, I’m going to have my business cards, I might have a snack—you just don’t know!”
For the day she has planned, it makes sense for Mullen to streamline. The Take the Lead Women’s Leadership event, now heading into its fifth year, is part of a series she organized to bring women together with shared resources. This summer’s Health and Wellness Brunch, the newest event under the Take the Lead umbrella, has moved to the Harker Heights Public Library and features an agenda covering poetry, mental health, chair yoga, financial literacy and stress research. Each attendee also goes home with a jar of handmade sugar scrub as a reminder not to neglect self-care while on the journey toward world domination.
“The people that I want to show up to this event look like me,” Mullen says. “We’re young professionals, we live in the area and we want to be involved. We want that sharp edge—we want to know where to get it.”
The very first Take the Lead Brunch, held in January 2016, focused more on the professional aspects of life. Held each year during New Year’s resolution season, the event has grown large enough to move into the Killeen Convention Center, which also houses Mullen’s day job. As manager of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the City of Killeen, Mullen works to bring even more people and events to the region.
Through Take the Lead, Mullen combines her ground-level knowledge of the city with a passion for facilitating and training that has her traveling the world in her off hours. “It’s about connecting the dots,” she says of her hometown. “In Killeen, everything you need is here. We have resources to take your professional life to the next level.”
Resources on Tap
Fill Your Calendar: Whether you attend an event Tanida organizes or something entirely different, she recommends going out and growing your network. Social media is great for maintaining connections, but face-to-face interactions can spark unexpected connections. “That only happens when we get to see each other,” she says. Groups focused on building specific skill sets can be a great way to meet people with similar interests, says Mullen, a Distinguished Toastmaster who started the local Elite Toastmasters club.
Grab a Cup of Coffee: During the Take the Lead Health and Wellness event, Mullen met a young woman who had recently moved to the area and was worried about not knowing anyone. Mullen was unfazed, telling her: “Meet somebody today and exchange numbers. In a week, take them to coffee.” It’s the follow-up that is important, Mullen says, if we want to truly connect with the people we meet.
Carry a Library Card: “Don’t suggest a book to me, because I will go buy it,” Mullen says. “The library has saved me some money.” Not only do libraries provide classic printed resources, as well as digital innovations like e-books and audiobooks, many provide community spaces for events like Tanida’s Take the Lead Brunch. Upcoming events can be found on your local library’s website.
The Savvy YP
The Savvy Young Professional podcast, which Mullen launched in 2014, features one-on-one interviews with thought leaders and entrepreneurs she finds inspiring. “I do it because I like talking to people—I love interviewing,” she says. Episodes of the podcast are available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Libsyn, SoundCloud and TheSavvyYoungProfessional.com.
Stay happy and healthy at your 9-to-5
1. It’s all about water: “Upping your water intake can have a huge effect on your energy and mood. Once I committed to drinking at least 64 ounces before 5:00pm I noticed a significant difference in my energy levels throughout the day.”
2. Take 15: “So many young professionals pride themselves on pushing through their project list without taking a break. I’ve learned to schedule small, 15-minute breaks within my day to step away from the screen and recharge. Don’t forget to take time off for wellness and self-care. Remember, there are no awards given to people who accumulate the most unused vacation time.”
3. Work perks: “Does your company have a wellness program? Find out if there are incentives or discounts for services related to health and wellness. It’s as easy as sending an email to your HR department to find out if you can take advantage of gym discounts or if your insurance offers services that can help you in your wellness journey. You don’t know if you don’t ask!”
