Let me introduce myself
I’m a story strategist and communications expert who works with purpose-driven leaders to help them articulate their ideas so they can connect with the communities they serve and influence action.
This isn’t something I had always dreamed about becoming. It just happened as an outcome of following the things I love and saying yes to adventure. I’m a mountain girl transplanted from New York so while some describe me as “chill” and “zen,” you cannot take the New York out of me. I can be sarcastic at times, and always direct and succinct. Except for the sarcastic part, those qualities are pretty helpful in helping you identify a focused strategy and craft your narrative. I like to get to the point.
As for the storytelling part of the communications expert title, I have no patience for boring and nondescript sentences and I’ve always loved a good story. In fact, at summer camp, I was the introvert in my bunk sending home letters regaling my family with stories they loved getting. I’ve always known about the attention and the impact of a good story.
I love helping people shed the “so what?” content – the meaningless drivel – and show up as themselves. Stories reveal your essence, give people something to latch onto, and help you develop a community.
From land conservation, wilderness education, and animal welfare, to education, and health and wellness, I have helped leaders shape perception and motivate behaviors so they can transform, elevate the positioning and debunk misperceptions about their organizations.
When I help you do this, I amplify my own desire to make the world a better place.
A ski bum at heart, I have been intentional in designing a life that maximizes my ability to ski without wasting my parents’ heavy investment in my education. In 2001, my employer in Seattle where I handled communications in urban development and revitalization, announced they had purchased a ski resort in Idaho. Shortly after, I was offered the director of marketing position, and overnight, my urban cubicle became a full-blown office with ski rack on the wall. I left that dream job three years later, a huge leap, to start Big Leap.
I volunteer as director of strategy for the nonprofit Their Story is our Story and you can learn more about why here.
I wrote a book, oh yes, I did.
And, if you’d like to learn more about my thinking, won’t you take a walk in the woods with me? I stay busy delivering programs, speaking at conferences (virtually and in person), and interviewing fascinating nonprofit leaders on my podcast Breaking Trail.
When I’m not in the office, I might be out skiing, trail running, or mountain biking with my husband and dogs. That’s where I do my best creative work.
Well, that’s me. Tell me about you:
PS – not ready to talk about you yet? I get it. Let’s take things slowly, subscribe to my twice-monthly newsletter about storytelling.