Fearless Female Leadership Blog - Mental Toughness & High Performance

Latest Blog Article: Culture Transformation for High Performing Teams with Brenda Dysinger, CHRO

The Power of Being Afraid - an Interview with Kim Thomas, SVP & CHRO, OneAmerica Financial

discomfort fear growth resilience vision Oct 20, 2025

In the latest Fearless Female Leadership interview, I had the privilege of speaking with Kim Thomas, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer at OneAmerica Financial, about the power of fear and how leaning into discomfort has shaped her extraordinary leadership journey. Kim shared her personal story of growing up with instability at home, which inspired her from a very young age to take control of her future. That determination carried her through college, career uncertainty, leadership challenges, and even personal transitions such as divorce, always guided by her decision to choose courage over comfort.

Kim emphasized that real growth often happens at the edge of fear, and that by saying “yes” to opportunities (even those that seem intimidating) we develop the skills and confidence needed for long-term success. She also highlighted the importance of writing out a personal and professional vision, staying grounded in values, and taking consistent quiet time to reflect ...