National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Meet Lynn Prothero
Lynn Prothero
Sr. Regional Business Director, Lundbeck
HBA Chapter: HBA Atlanta
Current role with the HBA: Regional Chair, HBA Southeast
Volunteering with the HBA is especially important to me because it takes a village. As someone in the second half of their career, I’ve learned that mentoring is a two-way street. There are always new things to learn and women that we can reach out to and empower on their professional journeys.
How has volunteering impacted my career? Hands down I would not be at my current company, Lundbeck, if it were not for the HBA. Psychiatry and mental health were new therapeutic areas for me. My HBA network helped prepare me and knowing that Lundbeck was an HBA partner told me something about the company’s values before my first interview 10 years ago.
My favorite HBA event I ever attended was probably when the newly established HBA Tampa chapter earned the “Setting the Bar” award back in 2011 prior to the HBA Annual Conference. We were brand new and had blazed a trail thanks to the leader that assembled us – Lynda McDermott.
The most valuable lesson I learned from a fellow volunteer was to always find your “seat” at the table and choose to “stay in the game” always. Thank you, Lynda McDermott, founder of HBA Tampa.
My employer encourages me to volunteer for the HBA because Lundbeck understands and encourages the value of giving back. We have dedicated volunteer time each year. Lundbeck also believes in continuous learning through encouraging, and at times providing personal and professional development opportunities. Just as we are making a difference in brain health, we always strive to make a difference in our respective communities. We view diversity, equity, and inclusion as strengths within our organization.
What skills have you acquired or fine-tuned during your time as an HBA volunteer that you feel will help you create a future full of possibilities? I’ve fine-tuned and acquired collaboration, patience, and the value of a strong, cross-functional network outside of your workplace.
My favorite part of volunteering for the HBA is meeting so many incredible people across the U.S. and the globe day-to-day and at live events. The more that you put into your HBA membership, the more you will benefit from the collective knowledge of these incredible individuals.
I applied for my current role with the HBA because I was finally at a point where not only did I want to do more, I felt a responsibility to do more. It was also important that I had a great deal of support and encouragement from my HBA peers and Lundbeck.
I volunteer for the United Force for Change because together we can do anything! The learnings are priceless. As a mother of four children, I want to set a great example for my now-grown children.
What would be your advice to someone thinking about joining or getting more involved with the HBA? The time is now! What are you waiting for? Don’t hesitate or wait. The HBA network has so many people from whom you can learn, and who are also looking for you to share your wisdom. It takes a village, and together, we can accomplish such great things.
Anything else you would like to share? The HBA is a wonderful organization and I wish I had known about it and gotten involved early in my career rather than 20+ years into my career. I’m grateful for the wonderful people I have met and the learnings along the way.
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