Founder, Clear Path Executive Coaching
I believe in non-linear career paths. A serendipitous opportunity, a shift in priorities, the ‘what if’ sparked by a door that opens, or closes, unexpectedly – these are some of the elements that give our professional identities texture and depth.
My own story has plenty of colorful plot twists, including successful stints* in a few very different types of jobs. Some were pretty thrilling, like the strategist position that took me to Brussels, Paris and Rome to cover the political events that created the Euro. (It’s also how I met my husband.) Others were less so, like my corporate communications role at a large investment bank, where the stifling culture ultimately overshadowed the interesting projects that came my way.
In my early 30s, I joined a boutique investor relations / strategic communications advisory firm. It was a challenging job (I remember trying to catch a few desperate hours of sleep on the floor of my office one night when I was working on a deal, three months pregnant), but also oddly vital. I loved the fast pace, the intellectual rigor, the diversity of the situations we managed and the collaborative way we engaged with our clients. After I became a partner there and had my second child, though, I discovered that a) I wanted more hands-on time with my kids and b) I was ready to do something new that had less to do with transactions and more to do with relationships.
When I thought about the kinds of activities I naturally gravitated towards and found fulfilling, I saw that they hinged on my ability to relate to a wide variety of people and make meaningful connections with them. Now, as an executive coach, I get to use that skill in a very deliberate way. As a partner to people navigating change of all kinds – from promotions to start-ups to reinventions – I’m doing something that feels both vital and meaningful.
I find it exhilarating to help my clients clarify and define the future on their own terms. And, looking back at the serpentine journey that led me here, I have to say that it’s pretty cool, finally, to find myself right where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do.
When I'm not working, you can usually find me spending time with my husband and three kids (ages 9, 6 and nearly 2) and our friends in New York City or the Hudson Valley.
* Professional experience:
• Partner, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
• Director, Medley Global Advisors
• Senior Communications Specialist, Merrill Lynch
• Europe Strategist, The G7 Group
• Italy Tour Guide, Butterfield & Robinson
• Director of Communications, The Frick Art & Historical Center
• Account Supervisor, Kendrick Communications
Education:
• M.A., Executive Coaching, Middlesex University (London), 2011
• M.A., Economics & European Studies, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, 1996
• B.A., Political Science & Italian, Northwestern University, 1990
Career consulting and coaching academic affiliations:
• The New York University Stern School of Business
• The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
Professional affiliations and certifications:
• Institute of Coaching, Harvard University
• American Psychological Association
• The Hogan Assessments
• The NBI WholeBrain Creativity Assessment
