ABOUT ME

I am an Idaho mountain girl and first generation college graduate. I grew up in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains which is where my love of nature originated - waterskiing, camping, biking, hiking, fishing and snow skiing. In college, I met my soon-to-be-husband and he introduced me to whitewater river rafting.

This black and white photo is a testament to my journey of growth, discovery and confidence. Until just recently, only my closest family members had ever seen this photo because it’s been hiding. I mean, just look at those big buck teeth! 😁 Ever since my dad took this “god-awful” photo, he wanted to frame it and display it in the living room but I wouldn’t allow it. I hated the way I looked and always felt internal pressure to look or be different than who I really was, no matter how much positive encouragement my parents gave me. Living small felt safe and so I hid (myself and the photo). Until now.

I’ve come to adore this photo now, not just because it captured me in a rare state of youthful contentment, but because nothing feels better than embracing your authentic self, big buck teeth and all. Once I discovered the confidence to show up as me, every day, everywhere I go, I became unstoppable.

This is why I coach.

Here’s how I got here.

After college and a solo European backpack tour, I worked for a start-up investment advisory firm with three of the most respectable professionals in the business. They taught me all about building quality relationships and inspired a work ethic I still hold today. They empowered me by pouring into my professional development and letting me guide my own career path. I became a Series 65 and Series 7 Representative, trading equities and fixed income. I prepared for the CFA.

At the same time, my husband and I bought a business and began growing our family. While pregnant with our third child, I had a powerful realization: my values had shifted, and my life was no longer in alignment with them. I was sacrificing precious family time for a career I once thought I could juggle with everything else. I had planned to “do it all,” just as I had seen it modeled for me by my hard-working family, but parenting wasn’t as straightforward as I expected. Our kids had unique challenges I felt completely unprepared for.

As the demands of life and parenting intensified, so did my fear of failing. Having experienced two divorces in my childhood, I was deeply committed to creating something different for my own family. That commitment led to a very unexpected decision; I left what I thought was my “forever” career and took a leap to stay home and focus on building our family foundation - even though I had no clear roadmap for what that would look like.

Full time parenting was the hardest job I have had to date. I found myself pondering how I could know in my heart that I was doing the right thing, while simultaneously feeling uncertain and anxious. I stayed very busy and poured everything I had into my family, but I can’t say that I ever allowed myself to feel fulfilled. Wow, the guilt. I was in my own way and I had no idea how to get out of it. Looking back now, it was classic imposter syndrome - I just didn’t have the language for it at the time. Thankfully, somehow, amid my internal turmoil, I took away many valuable lessons, thanks to my 3 kids. They taught me more about myself than I ever knew. Parenting has a way of opening up scars you may or may not be aware that you have. As our awareness expands, we develop the skills to heal those wounds. I am so grateful for these lessons. My kids will always and forever be my most influential and inspiring teachers.

When the time was right, and with my family’s support, I went back to work part-time. I poured my heart into a small family business and by the time I was done, we had record sales and modern processes. This reignited a muted belief that I still had more to give beyond my season of nurturing. I was ready to go check that out.

I never considered the barriers I would face when I decided to return to work after my six year career break. There exists a tangible stigma against individuals who temporarily step away from the workforce. After over a year of trying to break back in, I felt discouraged, frustrated, alone and irrelevant. My 12+ years of professional experience, education and my strong work ethic seemed to be overshadowed by the career gap on my resume. It seemed that my career break was a career-breaker. My confidence tanked. I mostly kept these feelings to myself because I felt ashamed that I was unable to help my family the way I wanted to. On the outside, I played it cool. But on the inside, I felt small all over again.   

Heavily discouraged but still ambitious, I decided that upskilling could help me get back on track, so I applied to the MBA program at the local university. I enrolled in a full-time program that allowed me to take classes during the day so that I could be home at night with my kids. More than anything, going back to school re-awakened my love of learning and my confidence returned. In addition, I was showing up for my family more mindfully and authentically. I felt stronger and more capable than I had in years. One night at dinner my 8 year old said, “Mom, you are so determined.” Her insightful observation kept me going on the most hectic of days and also reminded me that I was making a valuable impression: that a mother can be both nurturing and ambitious - honoring her whole self.

While in the MBA program, I studied the intersection of psychology and business. I became obsessed with understanding why some people thrive in their roles, while others don’t. I dove into the science of happiness, mindfulness, leadership, and what makes organizations truly engaging and human-centered. 

In addition - and more importantly - I wanted to prove that taking time to nurture your family doesn’t have to derail your career. It can be a strategic shift in priorities where a person continually learns and expands.

After my MBA graduation, I found my jam - a fulfilling career in leadership and people development. This eventually led me to coaching.

My passion for human potential has always been part of who I am. Even when I was going through my own stuff, people naturally came to me for advice on big decisions, and I felt honored to support them. Friends and family laugh at the stack of personal development books I’ve gifted over the years. I can’t help it, growth lights me up! Whether it’s helping someone lean into their strengths, trust their intuition, or make big moves, I’ve always seen the potential in others and felt called to help them unlock it.

But first I had to unlock it in myself.

I know firsthand what it’s like to lose and rebuild a professional identity, and that experience is what drives my passion for helping others through big transitions. 

My career spans 20 years working in finance, marketing, operations, and leadership, and along the way I earned an MBA and a coaching certification. I get to blend all of that with my love for understanding people - helping clients navigate change with more clarity, confidence and a sense of purpose.  

I work with individuals and leaders at all stages of life and career. Together we clarify goals, tap into strengths, and build the courage to take bold steps forward. I know firsthand the unique pressures leaders face, and I’m here to support real, lasting transformation so they can lead with clarity, impact, and heart.

Since becoming a coach, I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of professionals, students, entrepreneurs, and executives. My clients include people at Ford, Amazon, BP, Sysco, and the U.S. Department of State. I also serve as a Board Advisor for Make A Difference Now, a nonprofit empowering youth and women around the world, and I mentor global changemakers through the Young African Leadership Initiative. Nothing lights me up more than helping people make bold moves with purpose.

If you’re committed to accelerating your growth and unlocking your full potential, I’m your guide.❤️

PS - Dad, thanks for taking this photo and putting up with my drama over it. You captured something magical - it just took me years to see it. ✨