For 30+ years my work centered on human transformation, at the intersection of strategy, communications, and change. Words have always been the center of it all. I believe that words have power. When used well and in conjunction with meaningful presence, words can change beliefs, inspire action, soothe the soul, and foster change.
Here’s what I learned along my journey:
- My optimistic outlook stems from being a preacher’s kid.
- An all-women’s college put me on a path to servant leadership.
- Media relations enables me to boil anything down into three points and convey it in 90 seconds.
- Working for entrepreneurs taught me to follow the money and spend it wisely.
- Running a not-for-profit showed me it all comes down to collaborative teams.
- Informing patients about emerging health care treatments reminded me getting a second opinion is critical.
- Completing a marathon confirmed training, a dedicated friend, and tenacity (OK, stubbornness) can help you reach big goals.
- A decade supporting wounded warriors, military spouses and veterans altered my perspective on service, resilience, and commitment.
- Coaching showed me how an open ended, sincere question can reveal new pathways forward.
- Creating four communication divisions confirmed it all comes down to a clear vision backed by data, told through a compelling story, and supported by documented processes.
- Dedicated mentors instilled in me a commitment to build leaders who only replace but surpass me.
- Federal consulting confirmed that with colored markers, a white board, and dedicated experts you can solve anything and have fun doing it.
- Grief work, well, that’s where the wonder of life resides in the space between love and loss … and is better to explore in community.
- Mindfulness gave me stillness, the best way to move forward with intention.
Personally, I’ll always be a red-headed preacher’s kid grounded in a legacy of strong, faith-fill, community-centered Southern women who laugh as big as they love.
Impact
Professionally, I used my gifts and education to help leaders and organizations build bold ideas and communicate better to drive change through my time with:
- Guidehouse as a transformation expert and coach in the health account,
- Grant Thornton leading the 100-person Business Change Enablement public sector practice (communications, change management, training, design,
- Booz Allen Hamilton and Zeiders Enterprises as an award-winning federal communication and change management consultant,
- Society of Interventional Radiology as its membership and media relations communicator, and
- Washington Independent Production as an award-winning TV news producer.
It’s been a joy to use my talents, education, and passion to help leaders define and implement bold goals. My resume reveals more about my television, non-profit, and public sector career highlights such as:
- Fostered new culture at federal agencies through the design and facilitation of online leadership strategy sessions and employee focus groups that resulted in a DEIA strategic plan, first ever culture vision statement and associated guiding principles, and culture roadmap.
- Increased rural Veterans’ access to care by 240% and program budget by $50 million through the design and implementation of a five-year strategic planning process, facilitated strategy sessions, and the design and management of a new, award-winning communications division.
- Facilitated the employment of 60,000 military spouse hires – meeting the White House goal two years ahead of schedule through new engagement approach, team training, and award-winning outreach materials.
- Changed perception of wounded combat Veterans with award-winning adaptive sports public service announcement that reached 14.3 million television viewers, beating the industry average by 400%. Plus, created “Hire a Veteran” campaign distributed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and incorporated into USAA’s managers’ training program, and generated a 600% increase in views to the organization’s employment resource webpage.
- Expanded brand awareness of a medical specialty through annual scientific meeting media coverage that reached 100 million people, plus created a 170-page media sourcebook, a seven-part national ad campaign, and trained media spokespeople for stories on NBC Nightly News, Today Show, 20/20, Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post.
Education
Bachelors of Arts in Communications, sum laude, with distinction, Mary Baldwin College, 1993
Certified Grief Guide, The Grieverly, 2025
Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator by Mindful Leader, 2022
Certified ICF trained Master Executive Coach, Certified Life Coach Institute, 2021
Certified ICF trained Executive Coach, Certified Life Coach Institute, 2020
Certified in Change Management by Prosci©, 2019
Certified in Innovation and Design Thinking Specialization, University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, 2018
Certified Scrum Product Owner, Scrum Alliance, 2017
Certified in Change Management by LaMarsh, 2016
Certified Association Executive, American Society of Association Executives, 2014
Community Service
Living Vicky, Board of Directors Chairperson (2022 – 2024)
Mary Baldwin University, Alumni Board of Directors (2017 – 2020)
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Strategic Planner (2019)
American Corporate Partners, Service Member Mentor (2019)
Hiring Our Heroes, Corporate Fellow Mentor (2019)
Living Vicky, Mentor (2018 – Current)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Elder (Personnel Committee/Education) (2017 – 2026)
Silent Siren, Advisory Board (2012 – 2015)
Child and Family Network Centers, Board of Directors (2012 – 2015)
Junior League of Northern Virginia, President 2007-2008 (1994 – Present)
Mary Baldwin College, Community Advisory Board, Executive Committee (2001 – 2007)
What leaders say about me
“You are an amazing, talented, and beautiful human being! Thank you for facilitating so many great conversations and for being a steadfast supporter for me and many others who work alongside you. It’s funny to think about the ‘shadow you cast’ in your “20 sq ft.” — when I think about you, a shadow is not what comes to mind. Your light is so bright and colorful and full of warmth, and you make Grant Thornton a better place to work. Thought you should know!”
– Senior Manager
“I just wanted to thank you for always leading by example and just being a great role model. Your authenticity at work is truly appreciated and welcome (and sometimes just a breath of fresh air these days). I appreciate the time you take in teaching the next generation of consultants, and how intentional you are in providing opportunities for us (me) to grow professionally with the support we (I) need.”
– Senior Associate
“I want to thank you and the team for helping to guide me down the right path and supporting us all in meeting the many challenges we faced as a new office. Over the course of the last 2 years the team helped us hit a number a big milestones including at 3 off-sites and our IT Strategic Plan. You helped us turn valuable discussions and input into meaningful work products to move the organization forward. I also appreciated all our discussions, big and small—I really have learned a lot from you and the team.”
– Federal Planning Analyst (GS-14)
“Six years is a long time but it came quick as if it was yesterday due to your enthusiasm, energy, can do attitude and the willingness to give of yourself and your team to put out fires. Today we are one of the best known offices in VHA not because of our “money” but because of what we are capable of doing and how we do it. Thank you for everything you did to project our image and helping change the lives of the Veterans in general.”
– Federal Contracting Officer (GS-15)
“You are a great support system to your teams and the embodiment of a servant leader.”
– Manager
“You are doing GREAT facilitating, and I am very glad that you are back with us to see CSO to the finish line!”
– Federal Chief Strategy Officer (SES)
“Just sending a quick note to say GREAT JOB, and thanks so much for today’s excellent session. You did a superb job, and I’m grateful for all the time and care you took in preparing and facilitating!”
– Federal Strategic Planner (GS-14)
