From Abused Foster Child to C-Suite Executive: Steve Pemberton, Author of The Lighthouse Effect, E107

Steve Pemberton is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer at Workhuman. Previously, he’s also held roles as Chief Diversity Officer at Walgreens and Monster Worldwide. Steve is also the author of A Chance in the World, which became a best-seller and was made into a movie. Steve is also the husband of Tonya and the proud parent of 3 children.

Before all of his professional success in his adult life, Steve was an orphan and a foster child. For 11 years, he was abused mentally, physical and emotionally by his foster parents. Eventually, he told his social worker about the abuse and was able to escape his foster parents.

In this interview, we talk about:

- Steve’s childhood and living with foster parents who physically, emotionally and mentally abused him for 11 years

- How Steve gathered the courage to tell his social worker about his parents’ abuse and got the opportunity to leave his foster parents

- Steve’s thoughts on the foster care system and his advice to kids currently in the system

- Going to Boston College

- How Steve managed to create a great personal life - getting married and having 3 children, despite all the trauma from his childhood

- How Steve grew to become a C-Suite Executive at Monster, Walgreens and now Workhuman

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Steve's Socials:

Website: https://www.stevepemberton.io/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iStevePemberton

Latest Book “The Lighthouse Effect”: https://www.amazon.com/Lighthouse-Effect-Ordinary-People-Extraordinary/dp/0310362326/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&qid=1617308084&refinements=p_27%3ASteve+Pemberton&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Steve+Pemberton

Time Stamps:

0:00 Intro to Steve

1:00 Steve’s childhood

3:06 Any piece of advice you would give to someone currently in the foster care system?

7:43 What made you tell your social worker about your foster parents’ abuse?

10:01 Are there any signs that a foster child is being abused that a teacher could spot?

12:06 How did you continue perform so well in school?

15:57 Did you ever consider suicide?

18:11 How did you remain faithful?

23:31 Did you have nightmares after you moved out of your foster home?

26:08 If someone is struggling with resolve, is there something you would say to them?

31:18 How was adjusting to Boston College?

35:32 How was love for you since you didn’t have a frame of reference?

39:57 Did you ever feel unworthy?

42:14 How did you approach BC mentally?

44:10 Any thoughts on working in higher ed?

46:35 Any love advice?

53:12 How much did you tell your eventual wife about your past?

58:38 How honest were you with your kids about your past?

1:01:22 Did you fear anything negative happening to your business career as a result of your books?

1:03:28 Did your past ever trigger you?

1:09:40 What lessons have you learned to become a C-suite executive?

1:16:30 What’s best way to support you?

Grateful Living Info:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Bo0LHtRJJNJBUYIceg27w

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttttmbWfVqAhWh4Jhi

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1503185956

My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?hl=en

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gratefulliving4

Medium: https://gratefulliving4.medium.com/