Home: Chicago, IL. Birthplace: Chicago, IL. Profession: People leader, connector, culture builder. Organization: People Experts LLC. Title: Principal and Founder. Pronouns: She/Her/Ella. Alma mater: University of Illinois at Chicago; Roosevelt University; Illinois Institute of Technology.
Current project: Pivoting into a new sector and rebuilding a board of directors. Latest contribution to others: Coaching, advising and mentoring others. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Leaping into the unknown without having a parachute! Hobbies: Running, Yoga, swimming. Last book read: The Light We Carry, by Michelle Obama.
Personality profile: Optimistic, fearless, determined. How do you define a perfect friendship? Honest, loyal, dependable. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Collaborative. What is your greatest joy? Living my passion. What is your greatest fear? Regret. What is your guilty pleasure? Ice cream. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Fashion design, activism. What is at the top of your bucket list? The Maldives. How do you relieve stress? Working out. What is your go-to workout? Hot Yoga. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Sunshine.
What was your first paying job? Waitress. What was your favorite college course? Sociology. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Badminton. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Back to the Future. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Do what you love. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Make the job work for you. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Cellphones.
What message do you want to send out into the world?
Everyone has the ability, but not everyone has the opportunity.
What change would you like to see in the world? Full equality. What widely held belief do you reject? That Earth is the only planet with life. What mega-trend most concerns you? Tik Tok.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? And Just Like That….She Changed the World. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My grandmother. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An athlete. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Family, swimming and sunbathing. What advice would you give your younger self? Expand your horizons beyond Illinois. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties.
Personal mission: Creating change. Personal motto: Fear nothing and no one. Favorite quote: “Believe you can and you are halfway there” (Theodore Roosevelt).
