Trista Bridges had a carefully planned life, but her journey revealed

the beauty of embracing spontaneity. As the first black family in a

predominantly white neighborhood in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, Trista

overcame challenges that shaped her resilience, honed her self-control,

and gave her insights into the experiences of being a black woman in

America. At the University of Pennsylvania, Trista discovered a sense of

belonging in AKA, a historically black sorority, further enriching her

self-discovery. Despite starting her career at General Mills, she aimed

for more and enrolled in the Kellogg School of Management, where she met

her husband, Mark. Trista recalls the cherished years in France when

they started a family. Today, Trista, co-author of "Leading

Sustainably," advises companies on sustainability while pursuing her

doctoral program.