My Journey

At 19, I was fascinated by power, politics, and how influence actually worked. Chris Matthews’ Hardball sparked something in me, and within a year I had taken time off from Penn to work for him at the San Francisco Examiner. While there, I became more curious about the softer side of leadership -- diplomacy, team-building, and relational intelligence. We called it “Softball: The Art of Influence,” which became the title of my senior thesis.

 

I’ve always had a knack for synthesis -- spotting patterns, asking catalytic questions, and navigating systems. That led me into scenario planning right after college, where I had the privilege of learning from pioneers in the field. I cut my teeth helping organizations make bold decisions in uncertain terrain -- exploring how the internet would reshape media, how China might shift global power, and how climate change could impact geopolitical stability. It was rigorous, high-stakes work -- and it taught me how to hold complexity without rushing for certainty.

 

After earning my MBA from Wharton, I wanted to demystify how businesses really function, so I joined the front lines of disruption. At Netscape, I was there when we made the browser free. At Snapfish, we helped millions move from film to digital photos. I loved the pace of scaling teams and building new markets. But over time, I realized I missed connecting the dots more deeply -- with people, with purpose, with myself. So I stepped away. I studied yoga. I meditated. I listened.

 

Then came September 11. I was in New York, preparing for a class with Sri Pattabhi Jois, when I watched the Twin Towers fall with my own eyes. That moment split something open in me. I knew I wanted to be of greater service -- more direct, more grounded, more meaningful.

 

In response, I co-founded Monitor 360 inside Global Business Network and the Monitor Group -- a public/private partnership working with national security leaders to shift mindsets and reimagine the narratives shaping our world. Later, I founded Protagonist, a venture-backed company using AI to map and influence cultural narratives. There, I learned the joy and the fire of being a Founder-CEO, hiring leaders, building tech, navigating pivots, raising capital. It was humbling, high-leverage work, and I feel deeply honored to have served some of the most influential people in the world.

 

I am now a partner at The Trium Group, where I bring the whole of who I am -- strategist, coach, founder, facilitator, and meditator. Whether I’m briefing a general or holding space for a founder navigating burnout, I draw on 25 years of inner work and outer impact.