Home: Alexandria, VA. Age: Forty-something. Profession: Content, event and brand strategist. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other(s): My husband of 22+ years, my teenage children and an adorable rescue dog. Alma mater: University of Delaware (B.A.).
Current project: Exploring the many ways that technology innovation is contributing to extraordinary progress in health, sustainability, safety and economic empowerment and sharing those stories. Recent recognition: Being told by a mentee that they have always admired my calm under pressure and my team’s collaborative culture. Latest contribution to others: Joining a fantastic group of event experts contributing to The Vendry’s latest report: Back to the Future: Events in 2023. Hobbies: Avid reader and lover of live music. Recent unique acquisition: Taylor Swift tickets for my daughter, which took lots of hours and lots of luck.
Personality profile: Focused, creative, informed, calm under pressure, trusted, collaborative. How do you define a perfect friendship? Lots of laughter, always has your back, accepts you for who you are, celebrates the good and the bad. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my kids happy. What is your guilty pleasure? Love is Blind and Queer Eye (Netflix). What natural talent have you neglected? Writing. I’d love to write a novel one day. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling and vacations. I’m a big believer in exploring the world, meeting new people, trying interesting food and making memories through experiences. What is your go-to workout? A Peloton ride.
What was your first paying job? Blowing up balloons at a Hallmark store. What book have you repeatedly read? The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, Sixteen Candles. I’m a sucker for RomCom. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? My kids’ artwork. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Don’t try to emulate someone else; embrace what makes you uniquely you. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Uber. What company or organization do you most admire? Jose Andres’s World Central Kitchen. An incredible example of taking personal passion to provide comfort and help to people in crisis.
What is your big idea?
To amplify as many women and under-represented experts as possible in my content development work. Diverse representation brings new perspectives and bold ideas that need to be heard.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Developing visible leaders in the events industry. So much of the work tends to happen behind the scenes and there is often less opportunity for the talented professionals behind the work to gain their own visibility and develop professionally. What change would you like to see in the world? Greater compassion, civility, and compromise. What message do you want to send out into the world? Believe that people have the best of intentions, not the worst. What mega-trend most excites you? Remote and hybrid work.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Julia Roberts. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My nana. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? Princess Leia. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My rescue dog, Layla. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? A day by the ocean with my family, followed by a favorite meal and a card game. What advice would you give your younger self? Make bold choices. The outcomes may surprise you. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The first time I saw my children when they were born.
Personal mission: Doing right by others, treasuring the people I love, living a productive life. Personal motto: Do what’s right. Favorite quote: “Believe” (Ted Lasso).
