About Me
I’ve always been drawn to building things — businesses, programs, and communities that bring people together. I’m a serial entrepreneur with a facilitator’s heart.
I’ve been teaching, leading, and creating since before college. I taught my first course (on leadership) as a sophomore at Wesleyan University while studying comparative politics. A congressional internship with the U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress and an early career in luxury retail marketing taught me how storytelling and presence shape influence — lessons that have anchored everything I’ve done since.
When I moved to Washington, D.C. in 2007, I stepped into film and the performing arts — acting, dancing, and working on sets. Those years shaped how I coach and facilitate today. Theater taught me about presence, storytelling, and ensemble building — the same skills that help teams communicate, collaborate, and lead effectively.
Later, as Marketing Director at Synetic Theater, I helped elevate one of the region’s most award-winning arts organizations. As Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the University of Maryland, I built partnerships between the university and local organizations, connecting students, faculty, and neighbors in meaningful collaboration.
I served on the Education Advisory and Cable Television Commissions for the City of College Park and as Board Chair of the College Park Community Foundation, where I first began facilitating meetings, retreats, and strategic sessions for nonprofits. After serving as a founding board member of the Foundation, I co-founded HGVenture, a leadership development and consulting firm. We design retreats, trainings, and guide organizational strategy for mission-driven organizations.
Our clients have included Comcast Global, Harvard Business School, Clean Water Action, the Democratic National Committee, the Amalgamated Foundation, and the Center for Law and Social Policy.
From 2016 to 2022, I served as an Executive Communication Coach and Director of Business Communication at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. There, I designed and launched the Executive Communication Coaching Program and taught Business Communication: Storytelling with Data — helping MBA students and executive leaders sharpen their presence, message, and voice.
My work with the U.S. Institute of Peace took me across the world — to Egypt, Oman, Iraq, Rwanda, and Uzbekistan — leading programs on facilitation, conflict resolution, and leadership. I’m also a proud SEED SPOT mentor and LeaderShape Co-Lead Facilitator. Through SEED SPOT, I’ve helped bring social entrepreneurship programs to the Caribbean, supporting founders from idea through execution.
Service has always been at the center of how I lead. Whether I’m facilitating a board retreat, hosting a community event, or coaching a leadership team, my work is about creating connection, clarity, and the kind of ease that helps people do their best work together.
Thank you for reading. It’s an honor and a joy to be trusted to do the work that I do.
What Informs My Practice
My practice is grounded in decades of diverse experience — from movement and performance to dialogue facilitation, coaching, and service leadership.
Facilitation Highlights
Words of Engagement Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator, University of Maryland
Facilitated sustained dialogues on identity, social justice, and community building — deepening my capacity to hold complex, values-driven conversations.
LGBTQ+ Rainbow Terrapin Network Facilitator, University of Maryland
Designed and led workshops that build allyship, awareness, and inclusive leadership practices across the UMD campus community.
Coaching Certifications
Executive Presence Coach, Corporate Class Inc.
Training in executive presence and communication that helps leaders embody confidence, authenticity, and influence.
Executive & Leadership Coach Certification, The Coach Training Academy / Certified Coaches Alliance (2018)
Grounded in strengths-based, values-driven coaching that supports sustainable personal and professional growth.
Certified Life Coach, The Life Coach School with Brooke Castillo
Strengthened my mindset coaching framework and expanded how I support leaders in creating lasting behavioral change.
Certified in Conflict & Change Management, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)
Equips me with tools to help teams navigate tension, build understanding, and move toward alignment.
Education & Certification
M.A. in Education, Focus on Instructional Systems Development, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Focus on designing effective learning systems and experiences that foster engagement and measurable growth.
Executive Certificate in Facilitation, Georgetown University
Deepened my expertise in designing and leading engaging group processes for dialogue, decision-making, and learning.
Graduate Certificate in Multimedia Journalism (in progress), University of Maryland School of Journalism
Focused on expanding digital storytelling and media communication skills; one credit away from completion.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
Broadens my understanding of whole-person wellbeing — integrating health, balance, and energy into leadership work.
Hot Pilates Certification
Enhances my understanding of discipline, breath, and embodied resilience — principles that translate directly to leadership and performance
Certified ZOCA® Dance Fitness Instructor
I understand how energy, breath, and body language can transform communication and connection.
Social Justice & Equity Training
Urban Bush Women Summer Leadership Institute
Explored movement-based leadership, art as social change, and embodied community building.
People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond – Undoing Racism® Workshop
Intensive training focused on understanding systemic racism and strategies for organizational and personal transformation.
Social Justice Training Institute
Advanced facilitation and identity development work centered on inclusion, equity, and dialogue across difference.
Awards & Recognition
Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Universe 2005
Represented the U.S. Virgin Islands at the Miss Universe Pageant, where I earned the title of Miss Congeniality, an award voted on by fellow contestants recognizing the delegate who made the most positive impact on her peers.
Chair, College Park Community Foundation
Led community grantmaking and nonprofit development initiatives.
Prince George’s County “Top Forty Under 40” Changemaker
Recognized for innovation, leadership, and community impact.
The Art Behind the Work
I’ve trained extensively in dance, voice, and hosting, and I bring that same sense of rhythm, movement, and stage awareness to every room I lead. Under the guidance of Roberta Gasbarre at the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater in Washington, D.C., and through professional actor training at The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts, I deepened my understanding of storytelling, audience engagement, and the power of performance to connect people across difference. I am also a former company member of Quest for the Arts and Lesole’s Dance Project.
I’ve served as Master of Ceremonies for events including the City of College Park’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and College Park Day, where my focus — as always — is on creating meaningful flow, celebrating community, and helping people feel seen and engaged.
I’ve also presented at conferences and institutes including the Association for Business Communication, National Arts Marketing Project, Intergroup Dialogue Conference, Rockville Leadership Institute, Dance Exchange Summer Institute, National Conference for McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research, Maryland Nonprofits Annual Conference, Howard University #BisonLead Conference, the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders, and the American College Dance Association Conference.
Beyond the stage, I serve as a mentor and coach through programs such as the Halcyon Incubator, the D.C. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Accelerator, and the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship — helping founders and teams turn ideas into impact.
Performance taught me what facilitation later confirmed: connection is created through presence, practice, and play.
