Home: Chattanooga, TN. Age: You are only as old as you feel, behave or believe. Birthplace: St. Charles, MO. Organization: Brown & Brown. Title: Vice President of Market Development. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Alma mater: The University of Tennessee.
Current project: Creating customized productivity management solutions. Recent recognition: Invited to be a Chief. Latest contribution to others: Administering Covid vaccines as a volunteer (dusted off my RN skills!). Hobbies: Golf, cooking, attempting a vegetable and herb garden. Recent travel or adventure: Traveled to Rome, Florence, Siena and Montepulciano in April of 2022, a trip that was postponed for two years due to Covid. Fabulous art, architecture, food and wine. Recently viewed and recommended: The Hundred-Food Journey. A 2014 release worthy of re-watching.
Personality profile: Dynamite comes in small packages. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Kind. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Trust, integrity, open communication and mutual respect.
What three emojis best describe you? ✈️🥂🧨.
What is at the top of your bucket list? Learning to speak Italian and spending a year traveling throughout Italy and neighboring countries. How do you relieve stress? Singing in my car at the top of my lungs; being outdoors appreciating the four seasons. What is your go-to workout? I am loving Pilates! A great mind and body workout! What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Unplugging from all electronic devices and drinking excellent wine.
What was your first paying job? Babysitting for 50 cents an hour. Then I learned the verbal art of negotiation! What was your favorite college course? Anthropology, with Dr. Bill Bass. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Double-Dutch jump roping. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Art from travel and local art shows. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Live each day as if it was your last (my mom). What’s the best advice you received in your career? You have two ears and one mouth for a reason, so listen twice as much as you speak. And, be authentic. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Raising my beautiful and talented daughter.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? A more positive experience for employees when they need to be away from work to care for themselves or a family member. What change would you like to see in the world? No greed. What message do you want to send out into the world? Be kind and generous. Find your passion. Volunteer to help others. What mega-trend most excites you? Technological innovation. What mega-trend most concerns you? Shifting global economic power.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My dad. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A pediatric nurse. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my mom and daughter. Some of my most cherished memories are time with them. Every year, we do a “3GVC” (Three Generation Vacation), and I would want to spend time with them reliving those special memories. What advice would you give your younger self? Slow down and make time to enjoy family and friends.
Personal mission: In a world of uncertainty and paths that lead to unplanned places, keep an open mind, embrace change and look for the good in every situation. Personal motto: Be kind. Favorite quote: “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away” (Abraham Lincoln).
