The Story Behind the Strategy

I grew up in suburban Detroit, a tomboy with dreams of playing hockey and spending the off-season excavating dinosaur skeletons. 

At age 9, I launched my first tech startup, transforming the family’s dot matrix printer into the backbone of a custom stationery business. Blazing through printer ribbons and fanfolded paper provided an early crash course in asset management and budgeting.

In junior high, I joined forces with my best friend to tap into the global supply chain, reselling items from the Oriental Trading catalog. Decades before online shopping, we were building our import empire at local craft shows. Young hustlers learning the fundamentals of commerce and collaboration (with a touch of showmanship).

That early entrepreneurial spark—fueled by a curiosity to understand how things worked and drawn to people who thought differently—became the foundation for everything that followed.

From Setback to Strength

As a Division I athlete, a life-changing injury forced me to rethink everything. That early setback became my introduction to coaching and leadership. It was no longer about my own performance—I learned how to bring out the best in others. My experience sparked a lifelong dedication to guiding others through uncertainty and celebrating shared victories.

I studied English at the University of Michigan and business administration at Columbia Business School and London Business School. Working on Capitol Hill for the Committee on Resources, my focus on American Indian and Alaska Native issues deepened my interest in energy and environmental policy. 

As a congressional staffer and energy lobbyist, I spent nearly 20 years navigating both sides of the policymaking process, honing my skills as a negotiator and advisor. Working across the aisle at the local, state, and federal levels provided insight into the dynamics of influence and decision-making—essential knowledge for bridging divides and driving meaningful outcomes.

Navigating Policy, Industry & Influence

While most policy professionals remain in their respective capitols, I had the opportunity to see how decisions made by elected officials and corporate leaders played out beyond conference rooms and legislative chambers. At energy facilities and industrial sites, I collaborated with operators whose daily work was directly impacted by the legislation and regulations I helped shape.

Witnessing firsthand how boardroom decisions and legislative mandates translated into on-the-ground outcomes strengthened my ability to connect strategic goals to the practical realities and challenges leaders face every day.

Today, I apply those lessons to help individuals and teams recognize their strengths, bridge differences and turn uncertainty into opportunities for growth and success. Together, we create solutions that thrive in both concept and execution.

I care deeply about our next generation of leaders and I’m committed to opening doors to those who have traditionally lacked access. As an executive leadership coach at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, I have the privilege of working with professionals tackling the world’s biggest challenges.

Fueling My Fire

Outside of work, you might find me running in a downpour, marveling at an Art Deco building or embarking on a self-guided bakery tour. When traveling, the group fitness instructor in me taps into a city’s energy by taking a studio class (always followed by coffee).

I volunteer with adaptive and therapeutic riding programs, supporting veterans, children and adults with disabilities. I never miss a chance to catch live music, spend time outdoors (lately, it’s rowing) or browse a vintage shop—though it’s a bit unsettling to see my high school-era clothes making a comeback on the racks.

I’m equally at home in the mountains or by the sea. Isaac Asimov’s belief that the cure for anything is salt water—sweat, tears or the ocean—is central to how I live. I adore big dogs, loose-leaf green tea and have an enduring fascination with subway systems and public works infrastructure (I’ll scale a fence or two to check out WPA-era projects).

What I Believe

Context shapes everything: how we see ourselves, how we interpret challenges and how we uncover new possibilities. When we understand the broader landscape, we gain the ability to bridge differences, communicate more effectively and work toward shared success.

I’ve spent decades guiding individuals and organizations through planned pivots and unexpected disruptions. Change—whether chosen or unexpected—is inevitable. Even positive change disrupts the connections that ground us.

Smooth Transitions Don’t Happen by Accident.

By focusing on strengths and skills, strategy and support, we can turn disruption into an opportunity for growth and progress.

Strengths & Skills

We often underestimate our own strengths—natural talents that others value but we undervalue in ourselves. Recognizing them in a new light allows us to apply them in ways we hadn’t considered, unlocking greater impact and effectiveness.

Practicing essential skills like listening, conflict resolution, negotiation and network-building strengthens our ability to bridge differences—both at work and in life—so we can move forward, no matter the challenges we face.

Strategy

While we focus on what’s within our control, it's equally important to understand the broader systems we operate within. This requires an awareness of the unspoken norms, expectations and structures (the “hidden curriculum”) that influence outcomes in unseen ways.

Support

A network of relationships—community, mentorship, friendship—is crucial to ensure we’re not facing life’s biggest challenges alone. The right support system amplifies our strengths, provides critical insight and opens new pathways for success.

Growth isn’t limited by where we begin; it’s driven by our willingness to engage, learn, practice and adapt. Regardless of experience, age or circumstances, anyone can expand their ability to build meaningful connections, think strategically and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

I believe in seeing both the big picture and the details, planning for the long game and developing support structures before challenges arise.