Organization: North American Hardware and Paint 

Email: kmchone-jones@yournhpa.org

LinkedIN:  www.linkedin.com/in/katiemchone/

Other than improving your Zoom Meeting skills, what have you learned (or learned to excel in professionally) since COVID-19 began? 
I have learned how to broaden my skillset outside of event planning. I have really being leaning into growing my leadership skills since COVID began.  

Who are you outside of work?
Wife, Mom, friend, podcaster (Boy Problems Podcast), food enthusiast, inappropriate question asker, authentic relationship seeker, mental health champion and a lover of anything funny. 

Name a silver lining in your own work experience since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
When COVID first began I really felt totally lost because all I had done for many years was bring people together in person. The silver lining for me was opening my eyes to all of the other things I was great at and all of the other experiences I could create for people that were not face to face. 

What is your proudest professional accomplishment to date?
In 2015, I pulled off a huge event during Men’s Final Four. While on its face that doesn’t seem like a big deal, I had only just begun to uncover my husband had a secret addiction to opioids. I somehow managed to execute that event and many others while presenting like everything was fine on the outside. As I look back all these years later I now realize the gravity of the situation I was in.  I’m not sure how I was actually able to function at the level at which I was back then. 

What are some of your favorite things about being an MPI member?
I love connecting with people and learning from those who have way more experience than I do. I love how people are just so willing to share knowledge. It has helped me immensely. 

When do you plan to go on your next vacation and where do you want to go?
Jamaica  

What is the greatest place you have ever visited? 
I really loved Paris.   

Something people don’t know about you:
I am co-host of the podcast, Boy Problems Podcast. I am also co-founder of Recovering Too. Our mission is to supports families dealing with substance use disorder by sharing stories, providing resources, and facilitating a space for healing within an inclusive community.