(This is a guest blog post by my fabulous editorial intern Kelly Crotty)

You know what I love more than anything? I love a success story.

Being the bold, empowered and successful women Chic’ers are, I know you’re familiar with how challenging yet rewarding it can be to build a life and career you love.

Which is why I sat down with local corporate talent Rana Schiff who has risen through the ranks at Cincinnati’s favorite grocery retailer, Kroger, and is now the general manager of Kroger’s Center of Recruiting Excellence. She has revamped the candidates hiring experience while managing over 200 employees.

Read on as we discuss work life balance, challenges working women face and the career risk she took to fulfill her passions. 

Rana, from what I understand you had a wonderful childhood but there were challenges as well.

I am proud to have immigrated with my family to the United States in the late 1980’s from Persia. When I moved here I didn’t speak English and had to learn the alphabet in the second grade, which put me at a disadvantage against my peers. With time I picked up the language and learned my way. Since then I am proud to have completed both my undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Do you think anything in your youth prepared you for success?

My background helped shape who I am today as an individual as well as a leader in an organization. 

What obstacles have you faced as professional woman navigating career success?

Similar to many others who came before me I have faced obstacles along the way. Some I would relate to being a woman and others just simply being a professional. Overall, my challenges are not any different from others. Work life balance, building my leadership skills and managing my image. The list goes on and on.

Your career started in risk management but that didn’t stop you from taking risk in your own life.

I sure did! After being in Risk Management for over a decade I made the transition to Human Resources. I’m grateful to work for a company who saw potential in me and gave me the chance to make this move. I have loved every minute of it.

My advice to others thinking about making a career change is to GO FOR IT! What do you have to lose?

What advice would you give professional women as they navigate their careers?

• Do what you love and love what you do!
• Don’t be afraid to take a chance. It’s good to be uncomfortable with the role you are going to take and challenge yourself.
• No matter what the feedback is or the source of the feedback, consider it a gift. See what you can take from it.
• Own your career, no one else will!

What are your thoughts on work life balance? How do you manage it?

Work like balance is an interesting topic. It means something different to everyone and everyone manages it differently. I have found that I am the only person who knows my own balance in life and I need to manage to what is appropriate for my life and circumstances. Unfortunately, it’s not a one size fits all model. I encourage everyone to understand their lives and make the adjustments necessary to be happy at home as well as at work.

It’s not easy to make a name for yourself in a large company especially one that is rich with talent and innovation but Rana saw that Kroger is also full of opportunity and she has established herself as a leader while making a career change. Rana is a bonafide Chic’er, she’s bold, empowered and successful!