Home: Greater St. Louis. Age: 50 years of life experience. Profession: Marketer, Writer. Organization: alpha | BRAVO. Title: Chief Executive Officer. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: My partner in business and life, Aaron Newton. Alma mater: Webster University (BA, English; Writing as a Profession).
Current project: My first book. Latest accomplishment: Being invited to write for Forbes. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Betting on myself. Recent travel or adventure: Key West to celebrate my 50th! Last book read: Reading several right now, but just finished Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert (lots of margin notes). Recently viewed and recommended: What We Do in The Shadows (funny stuff).
Moral compass: My inner mentor. How do you define a perfect friendship? Mutual respect and lots of laughter. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mutual respect, compatible strengths and weaknesses, and a good sense of humor. What is your greatest joy? Family. What is at the top of your bucket list? Portugal. How do you relieve stress? Exercise: yoga, weights, cardio, hiking. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Sunshine. Little known fact: I’m on a billboard! On HWY 70 in St. Louis, promoting Innsbrook lake community. I’m doing a headstand on a paddleboard in the middle of the lake.
What was your first paying job? Working the counter at Noble Roman’s pizza. What was your favorite college course? All of them. It was a dreamy few years! What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Books. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? William Zinnser, Shel Silverstein, Chris Cleave, Strunk & White, Ken Follet, Emily Dickenson, Harper Lee, Kate Braverman, Raymond Carver, Stephen King… What is your go-to source of news and information? All Sides, The Atlantic, The NY Times. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My husband.
What’s prominently featured on your office wall?
I converted my daughter’s old bedroom into my office and left her chalkboard wall untouched. In the top corner, one of her brothers wrote “Be smart. Be open. Be kind.” The other wrote “Reason for being” in Japanese. My daughter wrote “You go, girl!” and I added the words: CALM and JOY. All daily reminders for me!
What is your big idea? To re-imagine the traditional (toxic) agency model. I believe there’s a better way to lead with empathy, to provide space for creativity, to create memorable work, and to be even more profitable. What change would you like to see in the world? Equality. Equality. Equality. What widely held belief do you reject? That women should not have control over their own bodies.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Julia Roberts. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A writer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A box of old photos, letters, and homemade cards from my kids.
Favorite quote: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them” (Henry David Thoreau). Favorite verse: Listen to the Mustn'ts, child. Listen to the Don'ts. Listen to the Shouldn'ts, the Impossibles, the Won'ts. Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me. Anything can happen, child. Anything can be” (Shel Silverstein).
