Home: Montclair, NJ. Birthplace: Montreal, Canada. Profession: Digital and social media strategy. Organization: Digimentors. Title: VP, Business Development & Strategy. Alma mater: McGill University (B.A.); Columbia University (MS). Languages spoken: English and French.
Current project: Leadership team for Digimentors, a new digital and social media consultancy. Latest accomplishment: Working with social justice nonprofits to help disseminate their critically important messages in pursuit of civil and human rights across the US and abroad. Latest contribution to others: Joining the board of the nonprofit The Center for Family Support, Inc. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Taking on a new role leading business development for my organization at this later stage in my career. Hobbies: Reading, fitness, travel. Recently viewed and recommended: Bad Vegan; Tehran.
Personality profile: Extrovert, open, intuitive, survivor. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Devoted. Moral compass: My sister, Robbie. How do you define a perfect friendship? Open, vulnerable, unconditional. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Reciprocal and equitable. What is your greatest joy? My kid’s happiness. Not an easy commodity these days, living in challenging times. What is your greatest fear? Helplessness. What is your guilty pleasure? Sleep-ins.
What was your favorite childhood toy or game? The Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. What book have you repeatedly read? The Choice, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Old letters from my parents. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My mom’s best friend. What’s the best advice you received growing up? My Dad always told me, every night of my life: Do your best, &#%! the rest! What’s the best advice you received in your career? Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My son’s diagnosis with autism and epilepsy.
What change would you like to see in the world?
Removal of all guns except for military and law enforcement.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Kindness first and above all else. What widely held belief do you reject? That God only gives you what you can handle. I disagree wholeheartedly. People rise to meet challenges. What mega-trend most excites you? Historically marginalized voices being magnified and heard.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My mother, who passed away when I was thirteen. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A writer. Always. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My trunk of old letters, many from my deceased mom! What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t waste your time worrying about it; it never turns out the way you think. I tell my fifteen-year-old daughter this all the time! What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My 20s. I’d worry less.
Personal mission: To do my small part to pass on a better, kinder, safer world to my children, and all children, everywhere. Personal motto: Kindness and empathy above all else. Favorite quote: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” (Maya Angelou).
