For over a decade, I've helped higher education and other non-profit leaders realize their visions and overcome the obstacles that so often inhibit success. 

Think about what impedes your success. Does the urgency of the day-to-day make it impossible to focus on one or two critical strategic priorities? Do misunderstanding and miscommunication lead to unexpected setbacks or time-consuming delays? Does it sometimes seem hard to keep perspective amid the chaos?

I help leaders tackle these persistent challenges head on. We work together to identify a problem and co-author a process to solve it. I'm a listener and translator — a confidant who can help reframe issues and offer clarity. And I delight in getting to know people and institutional cultures well enough that I understand cultural contexts in ways few consultants can.

Before striking out on my own, I spent two years as a Consultant for Leadership Strategies at Credo Higher Education. In this role, I supported dozens of colleges, universities, and associations as they created community-informed strategic plans, navigated interpersonal conflict, and addressed any number of institutional challenges.

Prior to consulting, I served in senior leadership positions in higher education, where I developed a deep understanding of strategic planning, crisis management, and board governance. I gained a rich appreciation for shared governance and the productive engagement of various constituencies. Although I have seen plenty of examples of breakdown and failure, I've also seen communities repair trust and regain strength.

In my most recent campus position, I served as Chief of Staff and Secretary of Swarthmore College, one of the premier liberal arts institutions in the nation. In this role, I counseled President Valerie Smith on a broad range of policy and communications issues and engaged the school’s board on long-term strategic priorities. I helped to build trust and enhance communication during challenging and fraught moments. And I served as “COVID czar,” coordinating the college’s pandemic response and serving as a central resource for questions from faculty, staff, students, and parents.

Prior to Swarthmore, I worked for the University of Denver as Chancellor Rebecca Chopp's Director for Projects and Planning, managing the operations of the office and coordinating a university-wide strategic planning process that engaged over 4,000 constituents. In addition to advising the chancellor and senior team, I had responsibilities for communication and crisis management. 

I have a BA in English from Penn State and an MS in Management from the University of Denver. Please see my resume for additional details.