Loida Nicolas Lewis

Growing up, my father had a vision for me—he saw me as a

lawyer and politician, while I secretly wanted to become a nun.

Expectations were set, but as it turns out, we were both wrong.

I did end up becoming a lawyer, however. But also a wife,

mother, activist, general attorney for the US Immigration and

Naturalization Service, and CEO of TLC Beatrice. Mine is a story of

having to constantly pivot and adapt. Was I ready to leave my

comfortable life in the Philippines to start over in New York? Not

really. What did I know about cooking my husband’s favorite

dishes? Honestly, nothing. Was I completely prepared to take

charge of a billion-dollar company? I had to find out. In coming

face to face with these challenges and opportunities, there was

one thing I stood by—live authentically. In doing so, I gave in to

life's greatest experiences—love, adventure, the unknown, The

Unexpected. A path that surprisingly turned out to be better

than The Expected.