A little about me:
I’m dedicated to helping ambitious organizations and individuals challenge their status quo, reinvent their approaches, and create more desirable futures.
In 2022, driven by a desire to work more closely with leaders who are ready to fundamentally change the way we collectively imagine and create tomorrow’s products and experiences, I transitioned to freelance strategic consulting, and began my journey as a leadership coach.
Previously I built and led the strategy team at Skylight Collective, served as Head of Brand at Vacasa (where I led the company’s brand evolution in preparation for the largest Series C funding round in Oregon’s history), guided the new business strategy team at Instrument, and developed the strategy practice at Cinco Design from the ground up. I cut my teeth at JDK Design which is now Solidarity of Unbridaled Labor.
✨
My work as a creative strategist and coach is the natural extension of my lifelong exploration of human behavior and the role that emergent technologies play in shaping our lives and culture.
I hold an MFA in Emergent Media from Champlain College and a BA in Language, Culture & Identity from Connecticut College.
I am also an author and painter. My first book A Field Guide To Now, was published in 2012. My essays and stories have also been published in Kinfolk, The Sun, and The Los Angeles Review. I am currently working on my second book.
HOW MY CLIENTS DESCRIBE ME:
Heartfelt
I am unafraid holding tension, and navigating conflict across multidisciplinary teams.
As a former educator, I have a deep understanding of human behavior and the conditions required to support real organizational change. I view business as a vehicle for driving social impact, and collaboration as vital for every strategic outcome.
Curious
I ask evocative, unexpected and deep questions that lead to the why behind the what.
I see patterns others miss, and bring a deep understanding of how communications and culture, technology, and psychology intersect in the mind of the consumer.
Insightful
I help to surface what’s truly important among the urgent priorities every team faces, and am skilled at turning ideas into actionable strategies that move clients forward.
I’m at my best working with fast-moving entrepreneurial teams exploring the edges of possibility.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
“The Emergent Realities of Gen Z” - Pamplin School Of Business, University of Portland
“Building for the Unknown” - Offscript
“Design Thinking & Creativity” - WCL
“Strategy Curious” - Skylight Collective
“7 Ways to be Curious” - Creative Mornings
“Startup Brand Strategy” - PDX Executive Podcast
“Digital Media & Design” - Champlain College