Good morning ladies!

I am new to elpha and am thankful to Cadran for the invitation to join this women's networking group.

Last Thursday was a day that will forever be etched in my memory. It was the day that I was Laid off from Article, a company that I had joined a short ten months prior. Every day since that day has left me with a range of emotions; sadness, frustration, defeat, relief, desperation, shame, guilt, and worry. I liken it to the loss of a loved one and going through the stages of grief or loss. I know that being laid off isn't my fault, that I ultimately did not own the leadership actions that lead to the layoff, but somehow I am the one left to pick up the pieces. Walking through this journey has led to moments of frustration, sadness, tears, and sleepless nights but has also led to a laser focus on tapping into my network on LinkedIn to make connections for potential opportunities. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that when one door closes that another one opens. I also believe that God's plan is always on time and comes with a bigger purpose for my life, but I know there shouldn’t be a but; I am exhausted, worried, and afraid that the 1-month severance package won't get me through to my next chapter.

With that said, I am here to network, lean on and be a comfort to anyone else who is experiencing what I am. If you are a recruiter and have job openings for Senior Talent Acquisition Leadership roles, I would love to connect and learn more. If you are going through similar experiences, I would love to connect for a virtual coffee to listen and provide some comfort during this difficult time. Whatever the case, I am excited to be on this platform to connect and make a difference.

For those who may be looking for talent, I have attached my resume. Thanks in advance for the referrals.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Tonja Wilhelms