Home: Kansas City, MO. Age: Older than I like to admit. Birthplace: Tampa, FL. Profession: HR JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). Organization: Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Title: Vice President, Human Resources. Preferred pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Languages spoken: English; conversational Portuguese.
Recent recognition: “Best Mom Ever” drawing. Recent professional development: ICF Coaching Certification. Last book read: Midnight Library, by Matt Haig.
Personality profile: INFP; collaborator, strategic thinker. Moral compass: People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. What is your guilty pleasure? Vanderpump Rules, Hallmark holiday movies and true crime. What natural talent have you neglected? Ballet dancing.
What’s featured prominently on your home or office wall? My vision board. What is the best advice you received growing up? Do what you have to do before doing what you want to do. What is the best advice you received in your career? “No” is a complete sentence. What is your favorite app? Libby. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Adult coloring books.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Programs to increase underrepresented individuals in corporate leadership positions.
What change would you like to see in the world? More curiosity and humility. What message do you want to send out into the world? “You glow differently when your confidence is fueled by a belief in yourself instead of validation from others.” What widely held belief do you reject? Treat people as you want to be treated. Better to treat people as they want to be treated. What mega-trend most excites you? Utilizing TikTok as a recruiting tool.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Finding Yourself. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? America Ferrera. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronomer. What advice would you give your younger self? Stop making yourself small to fit into places that you have outgrown.
Personal mission: Creating authentic connections for a kinder, more inclusive world. Personal motto: It is okay to let go of things that no longer serve you. Favorite quote: “My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together” (Desmond Tutu). Desired epitaph: She lived unapologetically.
