my story
Believe it or not, I initially had no clue about HR.
Honestly, I wasn’t even sure about my qualifications. My journey into HR began unexpectedly, and I was influenced by my mentor, who recognized my potential and guided me into the field. I started in marketing (my first love), earning my master’s in integrated marketing communications from Emerson College.
Eight years deep into my marketing career, I made a pivotal lateral move into HR, and a change-maker was born.
By the end of my first week, I knew this was where I belonged. Armed with my marketing insight, I began refining HR processes, from talent acquisition to resource allocation, quickly establishing myself as the talent expert. My ability to match skills with organizational needs propelled me up the career ladder at lightning speed.
As the VP and Head of HR for Digitas' New York Office, I led transformative projects—mastering the art and science of matching skill sets to client scope, personality, and overall team dynamics.
I was making waves in the industry while refining my approach to HR and developing my thought leadership.
Life then (coupled with a fantastic job opportunity for my husband) took me to Portland, Oregon, where a brief stint freelancing as a digital recruiting manager at Wieden & Kennedy led to being hired as the Head of HR & Talent at their flagship office (true story—they knew my background and could not offer me the role fast enough.)
I was tasked with creating a progressive and compassionate HR department.
My heart was full, knowing this role was exactly what I was meant to be doing. Given the keys to the Lamborghini, so to speak, I drove significant change and left a lasting impact. I did some of the best work of my life, which is still recognized today.
After seven years on the West Coast, life and family called me back East. I landed at the 4As, American Association of Advertising Agencies, as the SVP of Talent and Engagement. This was my largest platform yet. I arrived just weeks before the #MeToo Movement broke. As the spokesperson for HR, Talent, Engagement, and Culture in agencies, I conceived, developed, and executed several solutions in response to the mounting workplace issues that surfaced. I wrote op-eds, was interviewed by the trade press, sat on panels, and counseled many CEOs and CPOs. The 4As was quite the re-entry back to NYC.
Hearst Magazines recruited me away from the 4A’s during a significant organizational transformation. The business challenge spoke to my soul. The newly minted president sought an innovative thought partner to lead all people and culture efforts as print and digital integrated. And that’s precisely what I did. I drove the change agenda from the inside out of HR the department, embodying the role of a trustworthy change agent who delivers impact on pace with the business.
Our adventures didn't stop in New York.
The call for a new challenge took us across the Atlantic to Geneva, Switzerland.
I stepped into a role at the group level for the luxury industry’s world, Richemont International S.A. This position was a crucible of learning—it wasn’t just about learning a new sector and navigating different cultures and business practices. It was about seeing the interconnectedness of global and regional HR teams and the complexities of scaling a strategic HR agenda. I was hired to mobilize a group-led people vision in a decentralized organizational structure. What an experience!
Throughout my career, from navigating a damning New York Times article about our CEO’s toxic work culture to navigating the challenges of COVID-19 and significant social movements like Black Lives Matter, I’ve consistently demonstrated the profound impact of aligning HR closely with business strategy, even in the most turbulent of times.
In real talk, this means I have worked through real social issues that have had a true impact on team members—the kind that breaks your heart, but you can’t call in sick for. You still need to show up and work.