Home: San Francisco, CA. Birthplace: Connecticut. Profession: Strategic advisor and growth consultant for social impact startups. Organization: Traction Advisory. Title: CEO. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Alma mater: Trinity College (Hartford, CT).
Current project: Driving growth for mission-centric organizations such as Gender Fair, ChairmanMe and Pumpspotting. Recent professional development: Recently completed Pavilion’s The CRO School. Latest accomplishment: Launching Traction Advisory in 2020 in order to redirect my professional skills towards supporting organizations that advocate for women and their needs. Latest contribution to others: Currently serving as a Global Advisor for How Women Lead’s fellowship program on reproductive health, rights and justice. Hobbies: Time spent with my family, or the chance to catch up with friends. Needlepoint when a quiet moment allows. Recent travel or adventure: Looking forward to exploring the world again here shortly! Last book read: Radical Candor, by Kim Scott; Wired for Story, by Lisa Cron. Recently viewed and recommended: The Dropout; Inventing Anna; Severance; Ozark.
Personality profile: Driven, self-deprecating, detail-oriented, empathetic, communicative. A Gemini, equally fueled by city and country. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: What do I want to model for my children? How do you define a perfect friendship? Unconditional and judgment-free. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Collaborative, respectful, mutually beneficial. What is your greatest joy? My family. What is your guilty pleasure? Candy! What word or phrase do you use far too often? “Did you flush?” (I have three young children, ages 8, 6 and 3!). What natural talent have you neglected? Singing. I used to sing in various groups throughout high school and college. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Nurses and teachers. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are always a special pleasure for me. I love creating the energy of the season with decorations, foods and festive fanfare for our family. What is at the top of your bucket list? A vacation with my husband to Iceland. How do you relieve stress? Time spent alone, away from the daily hustle, either outdoors or on holiday in a peaceful environment. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Great company, good food and any wine!
What was your first paying job? Cashier at a local video rental shop. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Growing up, our family would have epic boardgame battles of Risk. What book have you repeatedly read? What Color is Your Parachute, by Richard Nelson Bolles. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Frozen. And more Frozen. Currently, Encanto. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Photos of my family throughout the years. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My siblings, my closest personal friends, a few of my teachers in high school and a professional mentor in my early 20s. What's the best professional advice you've been given to date? Navigating complacency in Corporate America is extremely challenging. Leaders only step into their full potential when they inspire those around them to actively bring their full selves to the work at hand. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Anything productivity oriented. Tools that allow me to spend less time on tasks and more time thinking. What is your favorite app? Instagram and LinkedIn. What is your go-to source of news and information? The Broadsheet, HBR, The New York Times. I also subscribe to various digital newsletters and indulge in Twitter doom-scrolling every so often. What company or organization do you most admire? Those business leaders, entrepreneurs and/or investors willing to dedicate their careers to solving for equality in this country. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? In 2019, my employment was terminated while on my legally-protected maternity leave. It snapped my personal purpose into clarity almost immediately and led to the work that I do with Traction Advisory today.
What message do you want to send out into the world?
We are in an equality emergency. The power of the private sector is a critical avenue for creating change but relies on individual leaders who are willing to step up and demand urgency for systemic solutions. Those companies that do will stand the test of time.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Dismantling the motherhood bias in the workplace. What change would you like to see in the world? True gender equality. I ’m passionate about empowering, advocating for and amplifying women, in all facets of life. What widely held belief do you reject? That mothers are less committed to their work. What mega-trend most excites you? Access to wealth creation for women. When women hold financial power and influence, policies can change. What mega-trend most concerns you? The potential for a post-Roe environment.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? The Quiet Warrior. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? An unknown actor given the opportunity to step center stage. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Ruth Bader Ginsberg. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A singer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Nothing. Everything else is replaceable or simply a material good. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t forget to have fun.
Personal mission: Advancing women’s causes. Personal motto: Leave this world a better place for those that follow. Favorite quote: “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that others will follow you” (RBG).
