Academia

The focus of my studies as a Harvard graduate student is on comparative evaluation of democracy vs. despotism around the world and the implications for America’s national security. My degree courses are chosen to encompass key drivers of security threats, sources of instability, and elements of global state and societal interactions. Among other topics during my time at Harvard, I’ve studied transnational security; cybersecurity; US-China relations; electoral politics; women, peace and security; and international law. These build upon my bachelors degree in political science at Frostburg State University and masters of business administration at the University of Michigan, as well as my professional experience in the public and private sectors. As an undergraduate and graduate student, I've studied at universities that are one, two, and four centuries old.

Corporate

In my professional career, I am a story-focused and data-driven manager who innovates compelling products, collaboratively delivers positive change for employees and customers, and fosters inclusive and safe environments for diverse international teams. My focus is on "fintech" or financial technology in the global banking sector. My experience includes positions in marketing, product management, innovation, and team management for global companies including Credit Suisse, Wells Fargo, DuPont, and 3M --  three firms in the Fortune 100, two in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and three that have survived more than a century. I also spent five years leading marketing communications programs at a boutique public relations agency in Washington, DC, working with public sector clients including NASA, EPA, Department of Education, and Department of Energy. 

Community

Service to the community is a cornerstone of my commitment to "being the change." As Justice of the Peace in Westport, CT, and Deputy Marriage Commissioner in San Francisco, I have officiated more than 150 weddings with equality for all. As Vice Chair of San Francisco's Bond Oversight Committee, I led oversight of $2 billion in municipal infrastucture bonds during two terms appointed by the SF Board of Supervisors. I graduated from the California Connections Fellowship and Leadership San Francisco, and have served on many nonprofit boards and committees. I have also been a poll worker in election cycles since 2020.

Thought Leadership

I am speaking at these conferences this Fall (links open in new tabs):

UX Design Summit 2022 -- "Design Ethics"

Design Thinking 2022 -- "Human-Centered Strategies in Recruitment, Hiring, and Culture"

Digital Transformation in Banking Summit -- "Using Design Thinking to Leapfrog Legacy Banking Systems"

CX/UX Leadership Forum: Next Generation Technology -- "Using Technology to Act on Customer Feedback"

Customer Experience and Digital Banking USA Congress -- "Streamlining the customer journey across products and services"

Digital Transformation Week North America -- "Leading the Future of Digital Transformation" and "Breaking Down Silos for Collaborative Transformation"

Finovate Fall New York 2022 -- "The Super App Revolution: Uber & PayPal Are On Track To Become The First US Super Apps: Can Your Services Compete"