Mindy Deardurff’s Master Class in Career Courage

Tina-Schuricht • July 24, 2025

Share this article

In this episode of @SuccessYourOwnWay, Mindy Deardurff shares how her roots in a small town laid the foundation for a remarkable career spanning higher education and corporate settings. She is driven by a deep desire to empower students and those early in their careers without established support systems. Her personal experience fuels her commitment to mentorship, guidance, and purposeful leadership.

Mindy’s definition of success once meant hustle and proving herself and now centers on leading with respect and empathy, maintaining balance and wellness, and modeling healthy boundaries for her family. Her story is a masterclass in career courage – authenticity, reinvention, and leadership. It’s a call to reject limiting environments, trust your instincts, and honor your evolving definition of success.


About the Guest

Mindy Deardurff has spent nearly 25 years in the Early Careers talent development space.  She spent time in higher education preparing students for the future of work. And worked corporations leading Early Careers talent development and internal mobility functions. She currently leads Early Careers and Internal Mobility at Best Buy.  Before that, she led Early Careers at a Fortune 5 healthcare company.

She spent two decades in higher education, serving as the Dean of Career Exploration at Macalester College. She also led career development and admissions functions at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. As a Pell-eligible college student who worked full-time plus to afford college, she has a passion for providing Early Careers pathways for those who may not have access.

She is a die-hard St. Paul, MN, fan and lives there with her 16-year-old son and husband David. On the weekends you will find her fawning over her garden, cheering on the sidelines of soccer games and ideating home remodeling projects.

Recent Posts

Bright sunshine filtering through the clouds.
By Tina Schuricht May 15, 2026
By harnessing the energy of increased daylight and setting healthy boundaries, you can maximize your productivity while also nurturing your well-being today.
Tyler Bletsch podcast promo with portrait, purple audio wave, and Success logo on white background
By Tina Schuricht May 13, 2026
No matter what stage of life you're in, Tyler’s story offers relatable wisdom and actionable tips for anyone seeking to create their own path to fulfillment.
Black and White image of a tree blowing in the wind.
By Tina Schuricht May 8, 2026
By prioritizing clear communication, empathy, and proactive leadership, organizations can guide their teams in building resilience through times of uncertainty.
Several individuals celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage
By Tina Schuricht May 1, 2026
By embracing best practices in cross-cultural leadership, organizations can unlock the full potential of their talent, drive growth, and build stronger teams.
Podcast cover titled “Tina and Yifat: When Good Isn’t Good Enough: The Decision to Move On” with purple audio waveform and Success Your Way logo
By Tina Schuricht April 29, 2026
Listeners discover ways to tune into their inner voice, embrace choice, and intentionally shape their next steps—whether staying put or venturing into something new.
Close-up of pale purple crocus flowers with raindrops on their petals next to a green stem in a garden.
By Tina Schuricht April 24, 2026
The next time you face a setback, remember it’s not the end of your story. With a positive mindset and the right support, you can turn adversity into opportunity.
The Larry O'Brien NBA Championship Trophy sits beside the NBA TV logo against a blue and white patterned background.
By Tina Schuricht April 17, 2026
Your career will be defined by how you perform in your biggest moments. With the right preparation and a commitment to learning, your 'Game 7' will be a win.
Success Your Own Way - William C. Tracy
By Tina Schuricht April 15, 2026
Listen in as William discusses the unexpected path from engineering to indie publishing and how he defines success today— uplifting underrepresented voices.
A blue calculator, coffee mug, and wooden blocks spelling
By Tina Schuricht April 10, 2026
Preparation isn’t just about avoiding stress—it’s about empowering yourself to make the most of every opportunity and staying ahead both at work and in life.
A close-up of an April calendar page with April 1st circled in red and labeled
By Tina Schuricht April 3, 2026
The real joke would be letting fear rob us of joy, creativity, and connection. The best antidote is a good sense of humor and the wisdom not to take it personally.
Show More