Born to Perform
When I slipped my parents’ grasp and climbed on stage during a live dance performance at the local fair, I could barely walk. A few years later, I leaped into a pool before I knew how to swim. Fast forward to kindergarten where I led the playground dig to the other side of the world, convincing everyone that with just a little bit more effort and a few more buckets of dirt we would get there. My endurance, pioneering-spirit, and passion for performance were obvious, and I knew early on that I would want to use my energy and passions to improve how people see and work with one another in the world.
Many Professional Lives
Four years at The Madeira School, three more years at Wellesley, and a year studying abroad at The National Theater Institute and in Paris brought me to the lobby of
a women’s boarding house in Manhattan. It was the only place I could afford while working a full-time job as a production assistant in public television. That was over twenty years ago. Since then, I’ve worn more than a dozen different hats from researcher, to fact-checker, associate producer, producer, editor, show host, fellow, founder, manager, project leader, and board member.
My bet throughout my career has been that staying flexible and learning new skills would make me a more resilient and agile professional.
I put myself through graduate school twice. The first time was at American University in Washington, D.C. to pursue a passion in film and media production. The second time, I pushed through my math anxiety to pursue a master’s in business administration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I worked full time while pursuing both degrees because I find school is a lot more fun – and a lot more useful – when you can go from the classroom one day to applying what you learn the next day in the real world.
My bet throughout my career has been that staying flexible and learning new skills would make me a more resilient and agile professional. So far, that bet has paid off. My continued investment in my growth and development allowed me to change career tracks multiple times and gather the skills and experience I wanted and needed. All along the way, I discovered new strengths, talents, and passions.
There have been
incredible highs and
funemployment bumps along the way. All throughout, I have been gifted with remarkable mentors and learning opportunities. I've also had the chance to meet many of my heroes. I am grateful to each of them for fueling me to continue investing in myself and my dreams.
