Employee Spotlight: Nicci Wilkinson

Nicci Wilkinson’s favorite part of her job is “developing leaders and helping them become the best version of themselves”—and she practices what she preaches in her personal life, as well. After struggling for five years with infertility, Nicci adopted Connor, who has both cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia due to health issues his birth mother faced. Now 22, Connor is a thriving adult that works at an afterschool center helping kids. It’s clear that Nicci instilled in Connor her desire to help others thrive.

Nicci joined MarketSource nine years ago. “The decision to join MarketSource is one of the best decisions I have ever made,” she says. “I am very grateful for my MarketSource family; I have met and learned from some incredible leaders.” Well, the admiration goes both ways—her leadership recently promoted her from district manager to regional manager. In her new position, she oversees 144 team members across the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. 

She credits her career trajectory to her team player mentality, growth mindset, and willingness to go above and beyond to support the organization. “I focus on the bigger picture and the impact my actions will have on others and our company,” she explains. “I believe you should ask for help when you need it…and ask to help when someone else needs it!” 

She did both in 1999, when she and her husband discussed their fertility journey with a young married couples group and learned another couple was considering adoption for the same reason. It was at that moment when they considered adoption, as well. “A common misconception of adoption is that it’s a challenging process, but it’s not as challenging as you may think,” explains Nicci. “There are a lot of really awesome kids living in foster care waiting for homes. There are also children like Connor that have special needs and are available for adoption all the time. I think it’s important to remember that sometimes there is another way to have the end result you hope for…and that is okay.”  

She continues, “Connor is an absolute rockstar—he never complains and always works to help others. He doesn’t walk independently [he uses arm-band crutches], but has never let that stop him. He works and has a full life…he has played baseball and he played basketball throughout middle and high school in his sport chair—he even lettered! His joyful presence and can-do attitude is inspiring and makes the whole world brighter. He makes me believe that you can pretty much do anything you decide to do.” 

Nicci now has two biological children, as well—Sadie (17) and Jonah (9), but wouldn’t change her adoption journey for anything. “Life has a way of becoming what is meant to be,” she says. “Sometimes, while it doesn’t happen the way you planned, the end result is better than you could have ever hoped for.”