I kind of stumbled into this world accidentally. Back in college, I actually wanted to be a sports journalist because I loved writing and I loved sports and I thought it would be a great, natural way to synthesize those two things! The University of Virginia, however, did not have a Journalism program so I double majored in English and Communications. Upon graduating I saw answered an ad in the paper for an Account Associate position with a PR firm and the rest is history. PR was great fit for me as I am creative, results oriented and I am very customer focused. I have been in communications and marketing for over 25 years!

I received my Master's in Public and Corporate Communication from Seton Hall University and my Bachelor's in English and Communication from the University of Virginia.

When I think of my challenges two things come to mind - external and internal. Internally, cultivating and continuing to cultivate a success mindset, while coming to the realization that the later I get into my career that requires a different set of things. Early in my career it was about honing my skills and getting experience, but as I enter into my later career its become about developing emotional intelligence, and while that is of course relevant at any stage of a career, for me it's been a jump from developing tactical skills to developing soft skills that leaders have. In terms of external challenges, I would say getting sponsorship has been most challenging.

I am a very creative person, and so because of the way my brain works, I have always had this innate ability to connect the dots of unrelated concepts and bring them together. My method of choice tends to be the written word, and to my skills to work I just recently started blogging and self-published my first book, Great Work, Great Rewards: 7 Secrets for Breaking the Performance Punishment Cycle.

Two things, in no particular order. First is knowing my parents are proud of me. My parents are ridiculously amazing people and they gave and sacrificed a lot so they expect a lot back, and to know that I have done right by everything they invested in me I count that as an accomplishment. Second is my family. We are somewhat non-traditional, as I got married when I was older to a man who is the father of two amazing children and in 2014 we adopted our daughter's best friend. We have the same ups and downs and lefts and rights as every other family, and while our path may be unique it's our normal and I am so proud of the life that my husband I worked together to build.

My professional goal is to exit Corporate America in the next 5 years or so and to pursue my next career as a writer, speaker and author.

I draw inspiration from everything and everywhere I go. Ever since I was a little kid I've had a philosophical orientation and the way I process the world around me has made me more mindful or conscious that I find my inspiration in the most ordinary things. 

I want to be remembered as someone who helped people, and for being a person who really made a difference where ever I was engaged whether that be personally or professionally.

I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

I volunteer and am an Adviser of the Global CSR Committee and the US Charity Committee at RenaissanceRe.  I also volunteer through Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

I enjoy anything spa related, classic cartoons and music.