ABOUT ME
My path to leadership has been anything but conventional. I grew up in a single-mother household and never imagined joining the military, much less making it a twenty-year career. That unexpected journey took me from the boxing ring at the U.S. Naval Academy, to combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan, to security partnerships across Africa, to teaching at West Point. Now, as a proud mom and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Amplify Her Foundation, I work to support women and girls to become transformative changemakers—creating pathways I wish had existed for the women who came before me. This path has given me a perspective most keynote speakers don't have. I've led in spaces where the rules weren't written for me, where failure had real consequences, and where showing up authentically was both the hardest and most important choice I could make.
What drives me now—in philanthropy, on stages, in every conversation—is the same thing that kept me fighting in that boxing ring: a belief that we expand what's possible by refusing to accept the limitations others place on us. I find deep joy in connecting with people and having authentic conversations about life's brightest moments and its messiest ones. I share my successes and my failures openly because I've learned that's where real connection happens—and where people find the wisdom or hope they need to keep moving forward.
"The arenas have changed, but the mission hasn't: create pathways, amplify voices, and prove that leadership isn't about fitting a mold—it's about breaking it."
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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First Female Brigade Boxing Champion, U.S. Naval Academy
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U.S Naval Academy Graduate, BS Political Science
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Intelligence Officer, United States Marine Corps
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Platoon Commander, Iraq & Afghanistan
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Naval Postgraduate School, MS National Security Affairs
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Foreign Area Officer, Sub-Saharan Africa, United States Marine Corps & U.S. Army
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Deputy Executive Officer for Ambassador, United States Africa Command
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Chief, Office of Security Cooperation, U.S. Embassy Niamey, Niger
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Assistant Professor of French, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
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Director, Corbin Women's Leadership Forum, U.S. Military Academy at West Point
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Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives, Amplify Her Foundation
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92NY Woman inPower Fellow
MY CORE VALUES
Lead with Authenticity
I learned early in my military career that the most powerful form of leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about showing up as your whole self, even when that feels vulnerable. Whether I'm on stage sharing a story or in a boardroom advocating for change, I lead with the truth of my experiences. Authenticity creates connection, and connection creates the conditions for real transformation. I believe people don't need perfect leaders; they need honest ones willing to share both the struggles and the triumphs.
Create Pathways and Advocate for Others
My work has always been about opening doors that were once closed to me—and holding them open for others. From my time as an Intelligence officer to leading the Corbin Women's Leadership Forum at West Point, and now through Amplify Her Foundation, I'm driven by a simple truth: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. I focus my energy on building the bridges, making the introductions, and championing the voices of women and girls who are ready to lead but need someone to believe in them first. Advocacy isn't just about speaking up—it's about creating lasting infrastructure for change.
Challenge Yourself and Embrace New Opportunities
Twenty years in the military taught me that growth lives on the other side of discomfort. Whether it was my first combat deployment, learning French for diplomatic assignments in Africa, or stepping into a boxing ring, I've built a life around saying yes to things that scare me a little. That same spirit brought me to The Moth stage and into the world of podcasting and keynote speaking. I believe we expand not by playing it safe, but by leaning into the unknown with courage and curiosity. Every new challenge is an invitation to discover what we're truly capable of.
Practice Gratitude
The most transformative practice in my life has been gratitude. After two decades of service, countless deployments, and the privilege of working alongside extraordinary people from Africa to New York City, I've learned that gratitude isn't just about appreciating the good moments—it's about finding meaning in all of it. Gratitude keeps me grounded, reminds me why this work matters, and fuels my commitment to creating opportunities for others. It's the foundation from which everything else flows.
