I'm a writer, teacher and management consultant.
In my corporate consulting work, I blend the disciplines of communication and change management to help leaders build support and guide people through change. In addition to my consulting practice, I serve on the adjunct faculty at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where I teach graduate-level courses in communication and writing.
I hold a master's degree in positive organization development and change from Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management and certifications from Prosci and the Institute for Experiential Learning. For more on my professional experience and credentials, here's my profile on LinkedIn.
My fascination with the art and science of change came relatively late in my career and inspired me to make changes of my own--none more life-altering than becoming an independent consultant so I could specialize in the work that I love. As the master of my own schedule, I was able to move forward with a passion project I'd been mulling over for years: to create a lasting tribute to The Lost Colony, the venerable outdoor drama I'd worked for early in my career. The result is a coffee table book entitled Backstage at The Lost Colony, a collaboration with author Dwayne Walls Jr., which I launched via Kickstarter and published in 2018.
Sometimes you make the changes and sometimes the changes make you. Thanks to my son and daughter-in-law, I'm a grandmother to three perfect little girls. My granddaughters rekindled my love of storytelling, so maybe it was inevitable that the stories I made up to amuse them should become picture books. My sideline as a children's book author gives me the opportunity to talk to elementary and middle school students about writing and stories and work with other people who have stories to tell but aren't sure where to begin. In unexpected ways, it makes me a better communicator. There's nothing like an auditorium full of seventh graders to challenge your presentation skills!
When I received an unexpected invitation from Georgetown University to teach graduate-level courses in communication, I welcomed the opportunity to share what I've learned (what I'm still learning) with other communications professionals. My natural inclination is toward practical application, but I've gained a deeper appreciation for time-tested theories and modalities and enjoy exploring what's new and relevant in my chosen fields.
As someone who thrives on change and variety, I am grateful for the ways my professional and personal pursuits have evolved, and how each one fuels the other.