“A FAIL-SAFE” space Can Lead to Endless Journeys of Success!
When you think of growth, what comes to mind? For Hilary Papineau, former Center for Women in Government Fellow and Board of Director member, growth comes from stepping into discomfort. “You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable if you’re going to keep growing,” she says, standing strongly by that conviction.
Hilary’s career is a testament to this very idea. As a mommy pioneer who has built a meaningful career in city and state government, she now works at the Office of the New York State Comptroller. Despite the common fear of failure, Hilary sees it as a powerful force that can lead to great things. “Failure is an opportunity if you’re open to receiving the lesson,” Hilary shares.
Where It All Began: The Fellowship
Reflecting on how her fellowship shaped her career, Hilary describes it as a life-changing experience that not only set her on a meaningful professional path but also nurtured her personally. “I’m a happily married mom to two young children living and working in the heart of New York State government,” she says. “The fellowship gave me 6 intense, amazing months followed by fifteen years and counting of engaging in a diverse community of women.”
One of the most significant moments of her fellowship was organizing her cohort’s retreat at Camp Dipikill. It was an event that shaped both her professional and personal life: “We grew professionally and built strong interpersonal bonds passionately dissecting vexing social policy issues while tipping each other over in canoes.”
Growth, Change, and New Perspectives
The fellowship wasn’t just about professional development; it was also about personal transformation. “It made me consciously recognize that you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable if you’re going to keep growing. What got you here won’t get you there,” Hilary reflects.
One of Hilary’s proudest achievements post-fellowship has been her role as a mother. “Raising (or at least in the process of) raising two small humans who care about making the world a better place”.
Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience
Hilary faced an unexpected challenge during her fellowship: her placement. Originally hoping for a position in a human services agency, she was instead placed with an infrastructure role in State government. But through open-mindedness and relationship-building, Hilary learned that the human impact of infrastructure is just as critical as the underlying technology.
“The relationships I built—from leadership at the Center to my fellow-fellows to the robust network of alumni, professors, speakers, and more—kept me grounded and my north star in sight,” she shares.
Pride, Purpose, and the Future
For Hilary, being a Center for Women in Government Fellow isn’t just a professional distinction; it’s an emotional source of pride. “I am extremely proud to be an alumna of the fellowship and now as a Board member of the Center,” she says.
Her advice to anyone thinking of applying to the fellowship is simple but powerful: “Have the conversation. Always have the conversation. Do your homework—talk to former fellows and get their perspective—and go for it!”
Hilary’s journey reinforced the importance of flexibility in one’s career: “Be open-minded with your career. While it’s important to have goals, be flexible about opportunities that present themselves that may be different from what you imagined or planned for yourself,” she advises.
Why Her Work Matters Now More Than Ever
The challenges facing our world today make Hilary’s work even more critical. “The challenges facing our country and world make it ever more essential to prepare women for leadership positions in government,” she says, underscoring the need for more women at the decision-making table.
A Few Surprising Facts About Hilary
While Hilary’s career and achievements may speak volumes, there’s more to her story than meets the eye. She graduated from a high school class of just 14 people, a fact that taught her the importance of close-knit communities and collaboration.
And as for rules? She’s broken her fair share. “Promising my husband I’d get 8 hours of sleep and staying up late to finish any number of wonderful projects,” she confesses with a chuckle. Sometimes, passion just can’t be bound by sleep!
Hilary Papineau’s journey exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and a willingness to embrace both challenges and opportunities. Her story reminds us that with a supportive community, a clear sense of purpose, and the courage to step out of our comfort zones, we can create a future that is both personally fulfilling and impactful to the world around us.
Her path is a testament to the endless possibilities that open up when we dare to grow, fail, and rise again. And as the next generation of changemakers continues to rise, they’ll undoubtedly stand on the shoulders of women like Hilary—who’ve already shown them the way.