Success Your Own Way
Welcome to SUCCESS YOUR OWN WAY
The podcast about how real people define and redefine success throughout their careers.
Hosted by Tina Schuricht and Yifat Rogers, this show features candid conversations with guests who’ve made intentional choices, navigated change, and built lives aligned with their values.
Their guests share their stories as well as strategies and tactics that helped them along the way.
Tina is a certified coach and former corporate leader who supports professionals in making confident, values-driven decisions.
Yifat is a consultant with a background in food science and engineering, helping people solve complex problems with a practical, no-nonsense approach.
Each episode offers inspiration and actionable insights for anyone rethinking what success looks like in their life, and how to get there.
We publish an episode every other week on Wednesdays
Success Your Own Way
From First-Gen Student to Corporate Fellow: A Story of Bold Transitions with Christine Nowakowski
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Christine Nowakowski—Corporate Fellow at Cargill and one of General Mills’ most prolific female inventors—shares her unconventional journey through science, leadership, and mentorship. With over 25 years in food science and more than 100 patents and publications, Christine’s work has shaped household staples like Fiber One and Nature Valley. But her path wasn’t linear—it was guided by curiosity, resilience, and a deep love for interdisciplinary learning.
From being a first-generation college student inspired by Star Trek to navigating 12 years without a promotion, Christine redefined success on her own terms. She embraced teaching, mentoring veterans, and bridging industry with academia. Her leap from General Mills to Cargill—terrifying but transformative—led to her earning the prestigious title of Corporate Fellow.
Christine dives into the power of mentorship, sharing stories of lifelong guides like Dr. Rich Hartel and her brother Steve, while also highlighting how mentees often become unexpected teachers. She opens up about overcoming fear, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to conform—especially as a woman in male-dominated spaces.
Listeners will gain practical insights from her work with veterans, including tools like Beyond the Military and StrengthsFinder, and learn the value of simple gestures like saying “thank you.” Christine’s story is a masterclass in reinvention, technical leadership, and the courage to speak up. Tune in for a conversation that will challenge your definition of success and leave you reflecting on your own journey—with gratitude, boldness, and a renewed sense of purpose.
