President & CEO - TEMPO

Q: What unique qualities do you believe sets you apart as a leader and woman of influence?
A: My journalism background gives me a unique perspective that most executives don't have. Having spent over a decade as a television news reporter and producer, I learned to ask the right questions, get to the heart of complex issues quickly, and communicate clearly under pressure. This foundation, combined with my 25+ years in corporate communications and public relations, allows me to craft compelling narratives while understanding how to navigate both sides of the business-media relationship. I've worked across agencies, corporations, and nonprofits, which gives me a cross-sector fluency that helps me build bridges and find common ground in unexpected places.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path?
A: Taking on the role as TEMPO's first President & CEO was truly transformative for me. Moving from reporting on business stories to actually shaping them - particularly around advancing women's leadership in Milwaukee required me to completely reimagine my role. I went from being an observer documenting what was happening to becoming a catalyst for change. This shift helped me realize how I could leverage my storytelling abilities, relationship building skills, and strategic thinking to drive real systemic change for women in business. It was the moment I understood that all my previous experiences had been preparing me for this mission driven leadership role.

Q: How do you define leadership, and how do you embody those qualities in your own life?
A: I define leadership as the intersection of authentic communication, strategic vision, and genuine community building. For me, it's about staying true to your mission while bringing people together around a shared purpose. I try to embody this by ensuring TEMPO's strategic direction remains aligned with our core vision of furthering women's impact in Milwaukee's business community. I also believe in leading by example - whether that's through my teaching at Marquette, my board service across different organizations, or how I work with corporate partners. Leadership isn't just about the title; it's about consistently showing up and using your platform to lift others.

Q: How do you pay it forward and support the next generation of leaders?
A: This is at the heart of everything I do. Through TEMPO, I'm directly working to advance women's leadership capabilities in our business community. In the classroom at Marquette, I get to mentor emerging communications professionals and share real-world insights that textbooks can't provide. My work with PEARLS for Teen Girls is especially meaningful because we're reaching young women during such formative years, helping them see their own leadership potential early on. I also try to model what's possible through my various board roles - showing other women that you can have influence across different sectors, from the arts to business to education. Every opportunity I have to speak, mentor, or serve on a board, I'm thinking about how to create pathways for the women coming up behind me.

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