As a production artist based out of our Fargo office, Flint Communications, Kayla works closely with designers and art directors to execute design and prepare projects for print. She focuses mostly on creative for Flint Group’s client AGCO, a global leader in agriculture machinery design, manufacturing and distributing.

“Throw in a lot of laughing at my coworker Amanda Feldman, and I would call it a typical work day,” she told me.

On nights and weekends, you’ll find Kayla at the gym doing Zumba, at church leading a small group for high school girls, or at home snuggling her baby Aurora and her husband David.

Kayla calls Aurora her “little nugget,” which I think is absolutely adorable. From listening to Kayla talk about Aurora, it’s clear that this little nugget is her greatest joy in life.

“She pushes me to treat myself better, to treat others better and to really examine what I am doing because I want her to have the best chances in this life possible,” Kayla told me.

Aurora’s cute self was featured in FM 105.1’s Oh Baby Cutest Baby Contest. The contest is over, but you can still view her entry.

Children: the best excuse to be able to play on the floor again.

Aurora tried bananas for the first time. She proceeded to go bananas.

Kayla’s greatest passion, aside from her new little nugget, stems from unfortunate life experiences. The 24-year-old has lost four loved ones to suicide: three family members and a friend following high school graduation.

“When my friend died by suicide, what really broke my heart was thinking about the memories I wouldn’t get to make with him,” she told me.

Since then, Kayla has become a community advocate for suicide prevention and mental health. “It’s near and dear to my heart and I think it’s something that definitely needs more attention,” she told me. “I want people to be able to make as many memories with their loved ones as possible.”

For Kayla, it’s all about saving lives

Kayla is involved in two mental health advocacy organizations: To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

You might have seen people wearing TWLOHA’s signature t-shirts and hoodies. I have, but I didn’t know what they stood for until talking with Kayla. She buys this apparel, which supports the nonprofit’s mission of offering hope resources for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and suicidal thoughts.

Kayla sports a TWLOHA shirt during a maternity shoot with her hubby.

Kayla, the one with glasses, poses with TWLOHA Founder Jamie Tworkowsk.

As a volunteer for the AFSP North Dakota Chapter, Kayla donates design time, speaks to Concordia College resident assistants and professors, and participates in Out of the Darkness Community Walks. Plus, last summer, she helped her mom organize the chapter’s first “Ride to Silence the Stigma” Motorcycle Run in Fargo.

Official Harley girls, Kayla (right) and her mom.

You can see more photos from the ride here.

Kayla told me her mother is her hero. In fact, she and her mother were featured in a recent article in the Inforum that highlighted mother-daughter relationships.

She told me, “With my new baby, I hope and pray that I can be half the mother that my mom is to me.”

Numbers speak louder than words

When I asked Kayla why it’s important for people to know about suicide prevention and mental health, she shared with me a shocking number: Every 13.7 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide.

“These are real people – people with kids, spouses, parents, co-workers and pets. This issue needs to be addressed. If we don’t start talking about it, it’s going to continue to steal people from our lives,” she said.

A lesson for us all

I learned a lot from talking with Kayla – what a passion and knowledge she has for this issue! At the end of our interview, I asked her what she would tell people about suicide prevention and mental health if she could only say one thing. Her message was simple, but profound: It’s just like any other disease or illness.

“You wouldn’t tell someone with cancer to just ‘get over it,’ so why would you tell someone with a mental illness, like depression, anxiety, OCD or bipolar, to?” she said.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Employee Spotlight: Q&A with Kayla Goebel!

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Kopi Luwak. Yep. All I can stay is I still prefer Starbucks.

Tell me about a unique or quirky habit of yours.
According to my husband, I apparently have a specific dance or jig that I do when I am happy or excited. But I don’t know what he’s talking about.

What is something you’ve learned in the last week?
If I speak in a low voice, my daughter thinks I am hilarious.

If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled. Try not dancing to it.

What is your favorite blog?
The Pregnant Chicken. Amy Morrison helped me survive the roller coaster ride we call pregnancy.

If you were on the front page of the paper, what might the headline read?
“New Mom Spontaneously Combusts From Trying To Do It All.”

What’s the best advice you ever got?
“It’s not what you know, but who you know.” My mom has always said that. Networking is really important and I think people don’t appreciate networking for what it is worth.

What sound do you love?
My new baby girl’s giggle – best sound in the world.

What scent do you love?
Lemons … or fresh coffee.