If you are a leader, I have no doubt you love the challenge and excitement of catalyzing ideas and resources to make great things happen... and I have no doubt that you face the inevitable stress of being responsible for the performance and success of your organization or team... while possibly trying to do a good job caring for a family, and certainly striving to stay personally whole and healthy at the same time!
And, like it was for me in my leadership roles, I have no doubt there are times when you wish you had someone who has “been there, done that” to be totally candid and honest with, to figure things out, plan next steps, and make the changes you want to lead and live better.
If this describes you, then you’ve come to the right place. I offer decades of executive experience, organizational consulting, and over 2000 hours of professional coaching at executive and management levels in organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to start-ups, US Government agencies, and local to international nonprofits.
A Bit About Me Professionally
I launched my career as a marketing and admissions officer at the School for International Training in Vermont, USA, and then joined the Peace Corps for a successful assignment working with deaf women and girls in Tunisia, North Africa. These two experiences sealed my passion for organization building and international community development work.
I started to hone my leadership skills in earnest when I accepted an offer to direct field operations for Plan International, a multi-million child sponsorship and community development organization . I ran an urban program for two years in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and after earning my M.Sc. at the London School of Economics, I spent four years in Senegal, West Africa, building one Plan's most successful field offices.
After returning to the United States in 1992, I led and consulted to local and international nonprofits.
A notable executive accomplishment was my nine-year tenure directing Save One Life, an organization serving economically disadvantaged children and families with bleeding disorders in 15 countries. In partnership with more than 50 local patient organizations, I tripled the number of sponsored children in addition to tripling annual revenues, and introduced post-secondary scholarship and micro-enterprise grant programs.
A notable consulting accomplishment was an assignment for USAID in Kabul, Afghanistan, where I was contracted to design the first training manual (translated into Farsi) and workshop curriculum to teach leadership coaching skills to community development workers in a women’s economic development program. I delivered two week-long workshops to 50 Afghan trainees, both men and women.
My Approach To Coaching
I started formal coaching in 2008, established Mandala Leadership Coaching in 2019, and attained Professional Certified Coaching certification in 2022.
Using a whole-person approach, I endeavor to create a space of safety for clients to build confidence, credibility, and capacity to show up empowered and equipped to lead and live well. I focus on real talk about the real world we work and live in to find smart solutions catalyzing professional and personal success.
Clients describe me as thoughtful and empathetic, a great listener, able to help them consider new and different perspectives, push them out of their comfort zones, and hold them accountable!
My extensive international and cross-cultural experience makes me a good choice for clients who work in global and multicultural contexts . I am committed to the strength of diversity and the power of skill-building in cross-cultural communication and appreciation to support thriving work cultures and business growth.
A Bit About Me Personally
I am the mother of two adults sons, Seth and Timothy, who I raised on my own. In 2023 I embarked on the wonderful journey of being a grandparent with Tim's little daughter, Emory, and now in 2026 with little Ellowyn.
In 2009 I remarried at the age of 52. and unexpectedly nursed my spouse through his brief journey and passing from pancreatic cancer in 2014. His dear mother became my responsibility, and I navigated the demanding waters of eldercare until her passing in 2017.
When I left my executive position in the Boston area, I moved west and became one of 750 lucky residents living and working in the bucolic countryside of Leyden, Massachusetts.
I am a life-long learner who is passionate about personal and spiritual growth. I enjoy studying our wisdom traditions, culture, geography, and history, and never get bored looking at maps!
I care deeply about the safety and sovereignty of women and girls around the world. At home I am committed to the protection of our American constitution and the civil liberties it provides.
I am an avid gardener and adore connecting with nature and caring for my land. Other enthusiasms include volunteering locally, biking, hiking, kayaking, and dancing until I drop!
