I remember early in my career I struggled with confidence. I remember working in my internal work relationships with leaders and I had a colleague tell me I was a kiss "you know what". I was stunned. I was being my authentic self, but she saw it as disingenuous. I tried to make my point that I see value in leadership knowing me and my skills, but her mind was set. About 5 years later, after a few promotions in the org and building my profile for leadership development I get an email from this same former colleague asking me to write her a letter of recommendation because she wanted one from someone in a position of influence. And guess what......I WROTE IT! I learned that day shrinking helps no one, not even the people who so desperately try to get you to do it. Be bold and take up space.

From a small town in Western, PA, big stages and bright lights are necessarily your first set of exposure; however my mom had a larger than life personality and took up space where she was and people loved her for it. I learned quickly how to authentically build rapport with people through speaking and helping them identify their gifts and how to maximize them. After college I was led into fortune 500 & 100 orgs that allowed me to nurture my talent of building teams and it's their I also saw my ability to motivate people to perform their best. Seeing people and keeping them is my superpower. Now 18yrs since the start of my professional journey and I'm leading an internationally recognized company that centers on public health education and helping to improve maternal health outcomes. AND A DOULA!