What has been your proudest professional achievement so far?
One of my proudest professional achievements so far has been becoming the first female General Manager at OUTRIGGER, a milestone that carries both personal significance and broader meaning within an industry long dominated by male leadership.
Granted, this was over a decade ago, and times have (thankfully) changed, but breaking through that ceiling wasn’t just about earning a specific title. It was about proving through consistent performance and hard work that leadership should not be rewarded based on gender when you lead with vision, focus, and the ability to inspire a team to do the best they can daily.
I not only had to navigate the operational challenges of running a hotel, but also the silent pressure of being “the first.” The one people watch, the one who must succeed, not just for herself but for the women coming up behind her. And I carry all that responsibility with pride. This achievement wasn’t my finish line; rather, it was my starting point. While I have a different role today, this accomplishment motivates me to mentor others, create a space at the table for all women and to help shift the culture toward one where leadership is measured by your potential and not your gender.
Who was your biggest role model or mentor growing up?
My mom was more than just a parent. She was (and is) my mentor, my role model, and the strongest person I’ve ever known.
As a single mother, she carried the weight of two parents without complaining. She worked tirelessly, often working several jobs at once, not just to provide, but to pave a better path for me. What she taught me about hard work didn’t come from many speeches or advice, it came from leading by example. I watched as she juggled jobs, managed bills, and still had the energy to be there for me emotionally when I needed guidance or a hug.
She never gave up and never let circumstances define her. She taught me that hard work isn’t just about effort but also about perseverance, sacrifice, and believing in yourself even when no one else sees your potential. Through her actions, she showed me that strength is quiet, steady, and often unseen.
Her personal journey taught me success isn’t handed to you and that it is earned. Because of her, I understand what it means to work hard, keep going and to lead by example while giving back to others when able.
How do you define success for yourself?
As I’ve grown older, my definition of success has changed. It is no longer measured by the size of a paycheck or the number of people I supervise. Instead, success is being able to get up every day (literally) and feel at peace with where I am in my life.
It means doing work that aligns with who I am, not just what I can do. It’s about having the freedom to choose how I spend my time, and the clarity to know what truly matters.
In my mind, success is about maintaining integrity in a world that challenges it, building genuine relationships, friendships and leaving a good impression on those around me at work, at home or within my community. Success is about growth, not just climbing career ladders but continuing to evolve as a person. It’s about balancing ambition and being able to give to others while caring for myself.
What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?
Iced Americano, black.
What’s the most recent book, podcast, or show that inspired you?
I have just started listening to The Hoffman Podcast which focuses on inner transformation and how it can lead to outward change. I find the entire process of blending psychological insight with spiritual reflection very inspiring.
Describe your leadership style in three words.
Resilient, courageous, supportive.
If you could host a talk show, who would be your dream first guest?
If I could choose anyone in the world to be my guest on a talk show, without hesitation, it would be my son, Cole. Not because he is famous or accomplished in the ways the world often focuses on but because to me, he represents the very best of what I’ve hoped he would represent. Watching him become his own person, smart, thoughtful, and resilient, has been the greatest privilege of my life thus far.
I would want the world to hear his story. Not the one that I share about him, but the one that he’s written for himself. I’d ask him about moments that shaped him, the values he holds close, and how he sees the world. Who knows, I might even ask how he sees me. Our conversation would not be about achievements (although he has many) but rather about growth, character, and what it means to try, fail, and to keep going.
And more than anything, I’d sit quietly for a moment, filled with awe and gratitude, thinking: “This is the human being I got to help raise.” That would be my dream episode.
