Name: Christine Mansfield
Occupation: President and CEO, Discovery Training Services
Location of Business: Wallingford
Accomplishments: Mansfield was a 2009 nominee for the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce’s Athena Award. In 2008, she was a winner in the Quinnipiac Chamber’s QStar Small Business of the Year Award and a finalist in the Chamber’s Women of Innovation & Technology Award. Mansfield is a board member of the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce, Holy Trinity School, Wallingford Community for the Arts and the Wallingford School to Career Advisory Council. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University.
Who was your most influential role model, and why?
“A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.” Isadora James captured a sense of sisterhood, by birth and by heart, that frames my influence. I find strength in my sisters Lorrie and Toni-Marie as well as dearest friends. Later, I would find my guidance in Sister Mary Frederick, a Sister of Mercy, ninety years strong today, who challenged me to never stop leading and listening.
Why are you good at what you do?
My success lies in the harmonic convergence of empathetic listening and passioned leadership. Such a framework fosters a symbiosis of teamwork and empowerment — two critical ingredients for any relationship to grow — whether familial, client, professional, consultative or personal. I succeed only as a part of a whole — a company, a team, a committee, a family.
How does your organization give back to the community, and what role have you played in those efforts?
Recognized by the Quinnipiac Chamber and the Connecticut Technology Council, I am proud of our community outreach and ability to inspire others. As a Brownie Girl Scout troop leader and Holy Trinity School board member, giving back to the next generation of leaders is paramount. Whether leading a service program or chairing a school celebration, I pride myself in giving unconditionally to my children’s school. As a Quinnipiac Chamber board member, I also co-chair the Legislative Committee and lead pro-business advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of our small and large businesses—including our first jobs rally. As a board member of the Wallingford Community Arts Center, I’ve experienced how wondrous it is to help launch a new arts organization and seasonal theatre. As an advisory member to the Wallingford School to Career Council, I helped launch a high school internship program and career planning support. As a church lector, I also created a Family Mass ministry to instill monthly opportunities for our youth to serve. Our organization also supports the American Red Cross, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as well as numerous local fundraisers.
What has inspired you in your career or where do you draw your daily inspiration?
St. Francis of Assisi guided, “it is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” I learned early to never stop listening or praying. After many Holy Week hours of devotion — instilled early and often from my mother — I grew to seek that spirituality for direction; for the courage to seek the right path, and for the passion to take it.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life? Give an example or two.
Moonlight flexibility and the almighty Blackberry allow me to optimize every minute. As the CEO of my business and of my family, the lunch and the midnight hours represent an opportunity to counsel a family member, friend or a client without missing one detail. I can stay connected to my business or family needs 24 – 7. Another example is running, a health outlet for sure, but undeniably the most creative time to write speeches, craft presentation ideas and think through business problems. Texting a client solution back on a Saturday morning run while sprinting — now that’s multi-tasking!
