By Anita Overall, MBA
Sr. Global Sales Account Executive, Delta Air Lines, Global Sales
Classes of 2012 and 2019
In the spring of 2009, I walked through the doors of the Boise Airport as a full-fledged Delta Air Lines employee, excited for the adventures that lay ahead, anxious to be accepted and utterly unaware of what the future would hold. I had no idea then that this career would become not only a livelihood but also a platform for faith and service. Nor could I have predicted how a connection with Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) would eventually deepen my understanding of my calling and the community I experienced in ways that would shape both my professional and personal life.
Finding My Way
I was born in Idaho but moved several times throughout my childhood between the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest and eventually back to Idaho, where I graduated from Nampa High School. My parents were both educated college graduates who instilled in us the importance of learning and perseverance. Yet, after high school, I couldn’t quite find my direction. I attended a few universities in Idaho but never felt that spark of clarity. To my parents’ disappointment, I left college and threw myself into the joys and responsibilities of family life.
Life moved fast. Raising a young family and managing everyday challenges filled my world. But beneath it all, there was a quiet, persistent sense that I was meant to do more, that there was something unfinished within me. Still, with the busyness of family life, the timing never seemed right until one day, NNU reached out.
I can’t remember exactly how they found me, but I do remember the conversation changed my life. NNU shared information about their distance-learning program, the Adult Step Program, designed specifically for working adults with families. The representative also mentioned that my earlier math and science credits were nearing their expiration and that retaking them could become costly. That insight, and the warmth and understanding in that conversation, sparked my motivation to return to school.
Faith, Education and a Career That Took Flight
Almost immediately after starting with Delta Air Lines, my world expanded. Delta opened my eyes to a culture of care for people and for excellence. I discovered that I loved helping others, creating memorable travel experiences and representing a brand that values integrity, empathy and service. It wasn’t just a job. It felt like a calling.
When I learned that Delta offered a scholarship program for continuing education, the decision to finish my degree became clear. It was as though God had orchestrated the timing perfectly, merging my passion for people, my career and my long-held dream of completing my education.
Through NNU, I rediscovered my purpose. My advisor, Heather Beam, and Dr. Jones were constant sources of encouragement. They helped me navigate the challenges of balancing all areas of my life, including my family. They celebrated my victories, big and small, and reminded me to reach for the stars even when exhaustion or doubt crept in.
At NNU, I learned that education is not just about earning a degree. It’s about growing as a whole person. I was challenged to see the world differently, to engage in thoughtful dialogue and to remove biases that limited understanding. I learned that when you truly listen, communicate well and seek understanding, you don’t just become a better student, you become a better person.
Service and Community in Action
It took me longer than most to graduate, but I never felt discouraged. Delta’s culture values authenticity and people who genuinely care about others. My degree didn’t immediately change my position, but it transformed how I approached my work.
Travel became my classroom. Every destination, every passenger and every challenge became an opportunity to apply what I learned at NNU. Service is a form of ministry, and our daily work can reflect faith. Whether helping a nervous traveler, working with a corporate client or mentoring a colleague, I began to see my role as a way to serve others and reflect Christ-like compassion.
The Joy of Lifelong Learning
My experience at NNU was so transformative that pursuing my MBA felt like a natural next step. By then, my family had grown, my career had advanced and I had learned how to balance life’s demands with persistence and grace.
The coursework challenged me in new ways and directly applied to my work. There were moments of frustration, but I pushed through with the help of professors and classmates. When I finally earned my MBA, I celebrated with a trip to Fiji. It felt fitting for someone in the airline industry who had come to believe that the journey matters just as much as the destination.
Faith and Compassion in the Valleys
Faith isn’t built only in the high points of life. It’s refined in the valleys. My husband’s cancer diagnosis was one of those moments that changed me deeply. It made me more aware of the silent struggles others carry and more intentional about showing kindness.
I was reminded that no one should have to walk through pain alone. When we show authentic kindness without expectation, it often comes from our own experiences of hardship. That empathy becomes a bridge, allowing us to extend compassion to others.
At Delta, in my community and within my family, I’ve tried to live out that calling. To me, faith and service are inseparable. Each act of care is a reflection of Christ’s love.
A Life of Purpose
Looking back, I see how God intertwined every part of my story—my upbringing, my education, my career and my relationships—into something purposeful.
NNU gave me more than a degree. It gave me perspective. It taught me that calling isn’t a single moment but a lifelong process of listening and responding to where you are needed most.
Today, I see my work as both service and stewardship. My education gave me tools for leadership, but more importantly, it gave me a framework for living a life that reflects who I am as a Christ-follower.
When I think about legacy, I don’t think about titles or accomplishments. I think about the people I’ve met, the lives I’ve touched and the relationships I’ve built. My hope is that my legacy is one of kindness, courage and connection.
Northwest Nazarene University didn’t just give me a degree. It helped me find my direction, deepen my faith and understand that calling is less about what we achieve for ourselves and more about how we show up for others.
