So who am I?
At my core, I am fascinated by incentive structures.
My exploration of the world of incentives starting by studying Mandarin (a language I still speak) at Middlebury College and writing two senior theses on balancing individual expression and identity in a collectivist society. After college, I ran 100+ volunteer teams from around the world for Operation Smile in hospitals across China/Southeast Asia where the challenge every day was aligning disparate personal incentives among volunteers while providing free facial-reconstruction surgeries to patients.
It was while attending Harvard Business School for my MBA where I discovered it’s possible to solve most business problems by understanding the marketplace of incentives within the organization. And that it’s possible to create solutions that align those incentives rather than driving a wedge between them.
Since graduation, I’ve typically been the person brought in to solve the stickiest problems facing founders because they are cross-functional, existential nightmares ranging from dysfunction amongst the executive team to rebuilding more inclusive cultures while not running out of money. Although each situation requires its own formula, I’ve learned that there is no problem that doesn’t make me want to jump in the trench with a founder, especially if they lead with their humility and humanity.
After all, we’re all just humans having business experiences and sometimes business people having human experiences. I bring that mindset to my work first and foremost when I choose to work with clients.
Personal Values
Be Cilantro.
It’s more important to put oneself out there and figure out where you resonate than it is to appeal to everyone.
Cultivate Fearlessness.
Give others the confidence to see themselves in the ways that their world sees them. This requires active listening, reflecting, and demonstrating that there is personal incentive to be fearless in expressing oneself.
Create Openings.
Take strong stands for your beliefs, but ensure there are doors open to expand your tent. Do so with immense humility for the greater human experience.
Face The Unknowns.
Bring an expansive and open mindset to constant growth. Appreciate that there is always more to learn and integrate, and that relying too heavily on your existing skills creates blindspots which alienate others.
Reflect Joy.
People deserve a joyful experience when you work together. Do the internal work to be a source not use of someone’s energy. And, like a diamond, be sure to reflect the light shone on you out onto other people.