I have always been fascinated by organizations and how they work. One of my earliest memories is of going to my dad’s office and being in the room when his boss came in and yelled at him for some perceived infraction. I was probably no older than 4 or 5 at the time, but even at that young age, I knew that my dad’s boss’s approach was counterproductive. Since that formative experience, I’ve paid deep attention to the obvious and not-so-obvious ways that organizations function, including how strategy, structure, processes, and people come together to create an organization’s culture and influence its success.
I began my career as an editor for a peer-reviewed academic journal and soon transitioned to entrepreneurship, growing my company over the next 19 years from a kitchen-table venture to a professional services firm serving multiple Fortune 500 clients. Since transitioning from owning and operating my company, I have leveraged my expertise as an independent external consultant, helping clients address complex issues in their unique environments.
I am particularly drawn to working with leaders who are doing things successfully but not in ordinary ways, because ordinary ways don’t work for them. They are pursuing difficult, potentially world-changing, work—work that marries a social mission with organizational change and business performance. They see “what can be” in the long term and are doing things now to realize that vision—things that haven’t been done before or may not succeed. They are willing to forge a new path in service of effecting meaningful systemic change in their organization, community, or larger context. They (or their organization) may be embarking on a new initiative, facing a wicked problem, or stuck in a mindset or pattern of behavior that no longer serves them. I come alongside these leaders to help dislodge seemingly intransigent roadblocks.
I offer my services to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, with the following areas of expertise:
- Fractional Leadership
- Strategic Advisory & Enablement
- Decision Support
- Organization Design & Effectiveness
- Change Management
- Organizational Assessment & Development
- Leadership Assessment & Development
- Talent Assessment & Succession Planning
- Executive Coaching
I also have specialized knowledge in working with family-run and family-owned enterprises (including nonprofits), helping clients find their way through the challenges of governance, family membership, and business operations.
I hold a BA from Malone University with a dual major in Computer Science and Communications (Journalism) and an MA in Organizational Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University. I’m completing an MBA from Northern Kentucky University as well as a Nonprofit Management Certificate through Duke University. I am an International Coaching Federation (ICF)-certified coach at the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) level as well as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). I am certified in The Leadership Circle® 360 Leadership Assessment Profile and hold a dual certificate in Family Business Advising and Family Wealth Advising from the Family Firm Institute. I operate my advisory practice out of Cincinnati, Ohio, and serve clients nationwide. I also have a broad network of consulting colleagues with whom I collaborate as client needs dictate.
The quickest way to reach me is to message me via LinkedIn.