Personal growth doesn’t look the same at every stage of life—and for many women, it evolves into something deeper, quieter, and more intentional over time. It’s no longer just about climbing ladders or chasing milestones, but about purpose, resilience, relationships, and showing up authentically in both personal and professional spaces. We asked a group of women to reflect on what personal growth means to them today.
Krystal Kerkezian, Founder of a local salon and award-winning colorist
Personal growth today looks like turning self-doubt into self-awareness. When I opened my salon in Walnut Creek in December 2017, I constantly questioned whether I was ready. That doubt pushed me to prepare more, learn more, and lead with intention. It made me listen closely to my clients, refine my craft, and build a stronger team. Instead of letting self-doubt stop me, I’ve learned to use it as fuel for improvement—and through it all, I’ve learned to always lead with love.
Kailani Kimoto, Realtor
As a realtor, I don’t just sell homes — I guide people through some of the most meaningful transitions of their lives. Serving my community is personal to me. I believe success isn’t measured only by numbers but by trust, integrity, and the relationships built along the way. Personal growth, to me, means deepening my faith, strengthening my resilience, and becoming more disciplined — mentally, spiritually, and professionally. It’s about evolving without losing heart, staying rooted in purpose, and showing up every day with excellence, courage, and genuine care.
Melissa M. Arbil, General Manager
Personal growth has come to me through patience and understanding. I try to listen more and talk less. I learn from my mistakes instead of repeating them, and I am open to feedback without becoming defensive. I am always working to create healthy boundaries and I am continuously working to align my actions with my values. I build stronger relationships with my peers, use better decision-making skills, and move with greater confidence than I did in the past. I take accountability over making excuses and consistency over quick wins, working every day to be better than I was the day before in all aspects of my life.
Yelena Vayn, Realtor
Personal growth means a continuous, unrelenting pursuit of excellence. It is based first on a determination to ongoing education and learning, always striving to improve both personally and professionally. Growth also means giving back to others - providing excellent service and guidance to my clients, supporting my community, uplifting colleagues, and mentoring others. I measure my growth by my ability to step into a leadership role while remaining a lifelong student and mentor, staying authentic and engaged every step of the way. Personal growth looks like always looking forward—personally and professionally. To me, it means eagerly anticipating the next adventure, planning an exciting trip, or embracing new learning that keeps life vibrant and purposeful.
Barbara Russell, General Manager
For me, personal growth today is a lifelong commitment to becoming a better version of myself. As a woman and business owner in this phase of my life, growth feels gentler and more intentional. It means honoring where I’ve been while staying open to what’s still to come. I focus on caring for my health, nurturing meaningful relationships, and giving back to my community through sponsorships and volunteer work. Growth now is living with purpose, staying curious, and allowing myself to grow with grace and gratitude.
Roshmi Mukherji, Owner of In-Home Senior Care Business
As the owner of an Asian American woman-owned in-home senior care business, personal growth today means cultivating curiosity and empathy over judgment. I strive to listen deeply to my employees, clients, and family, ensuring everyone feels truly heard. Professionally, I am dedicated to building a foundation of thoughtful, expert service. Beyond business metrics, my goal is to model a strong work ethic and unwavering quality for my teenage son. To me, growth is the continuous pursuit of "doing the right thing" while leading with a compassionate heart and a professional hand.
Julie Greenlaw, D.D.S.
Professionally, technology has had a huge impact on my growth. Born and raised in Walnut Creek, I've had the privilege of serving this wonderful East Bay community for over 30 years. Embracing advanced tools in dentistry has reignited my passion. These innovations enable minimally invasive care, better outcomes, and truly comfortable patient experiences. Staying forward-looking—mastering new techniques in implants, sedation, and cosmetics—keeps me evolving, delivering higher-quality, trust-building dentistry in Walnut Creek's dynamic setting. Growth is about one forward step at a time.
Julie Block, Office Manager
Personal growth, to me, is my story. I began as a registered dental assistant and spent 28 years growing into the role of office manager at the same practice. I’ve learned that growth isn’t about titles—it’s about people. It’s creating a culture where patients feel safe, welcomed, and genuinely cared for, and where my team feels supported. Growth means leading with heart, learning through experience, and showing up every day with pride in the trust we’ve built. That trust is what matters most to me.
Nichole Goldberg, Executive Director
Personal growth for me is letting go of perfection. Accepting that it takes experience, trial and error to achieve perfection. No matter the obstacle, I will always strive for perfection. I have had to let go of the idea that I can do it all. Not only in the growth of a business, but in the growth of being a mother. It truly takes a village. One that I am proud to be a part of, both in a thriving medical practice and as a mother surrounded by many strong, supportive, like-minded moms.
Ana Gonzalez, Founder and Principal Designer of a Home Staging and Design Company.
Personal growth today looks like alignment. It means building a business with excellence while honoring my peace, my health, and my integrity. It means setting boundaries without guilt, choosing long-term vision over short-term validation, and leading with authenticity. Growth is no longer about doing more — it’s about becoming more grounded, more intentional, and more courageous in both business and life.
A special thank you to The Ruth Bancroft Garden for providing the location for the photoshoot.
Ruth Bancroft Garden is a world-renowned 3.5-acre botanical garden and nursery in Walnut Creek. It was created by Ruth Bancroft, who began planting succulents, cacti, agaves, and other drought-tolerant plants in the 1970s, well before water conservation was a mainstream concern.
Through trial and error, Ruth discovered how to use succulents in the landscape, how to protect tender plants from winter rains and the occasional hard freeze, and created dynamic planting combinations by using contrasting textures, forms, and colors.
In 1988, Frank and Anne Cabot visited Ruth and were inspired to form the Garden Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving significant American gardens, and The Ruth Bancroft Garden became the organization's first preservation project.
The garden opened to the public in 1992 and has become an outstanding example of a water-conserving garden suited to the East Bay Area’s Mediterranean climate. In 2024, the Garden was ranked “The Most Beautiful Garden in the World” by TripAdvisor.
Beyond the garden’s paths, visitors can explore the retail nursery, which offers a curated selection of climate-appropriate plants, including succulents, cacti, and California natives, along with a gift shop stocked with local art, merchandise, books, and unique finds.
The garden also offers professional landscape design services, educational programs for all ages, and a full calendar of workshops and community events. With a one-of-a-kind outdoor setting paired with a modern indoor space, it also serves as a memorable venue for weddings, celebrations of life, parties, and corporate events.
Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday to Sunday, the garden is both an inspiring local gem and a vibrant community resource that thrives thanks to its members, volunteers, and visitors, whose support makes everything possible.