Chief Strategist for AI Advancement - Waukesha County Technical College

Q: What unique qualities do you believe sets you apart as a leader and woman of influence?
A: I am driven by a passion for developing human potential and leading through service—offering my time, talent, and resources to empower others. Rooted in a deep care for my community and a commitment to justice, I lead with integrity, compassion, and intelligence. My approach to leadership is grounded in servant leadership, which I’ve lived out as an administrator and leader across healthcare, engineering, and education; as a director on corporate and nonprofit boards; as a mentor to other women; and as both a foster parent and parent.

Through volunteerism and board service with organizations such as the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, the American Red Cross, and others, I support individuals in the broader context of community, fostering collaboration for collective impact. I believe in the transformative power of education to change lives, and am committed to driving innovation and embracing change to build an education system that best prepares people for the evolving demands of the future workforce.

In education leadership, I prioritize adaptability, future-ready skills, and transformative strategies to ensure learning remains relevant, empowering, and impactful. I strive to unite teams around a shared vision, foster meaningful partnerships, and create environments where people feel respected, empowered, and motivated to contribute. I communicate with purpose, listen with intention, and lead with a growth mindset, remaining patient, persistent, and open to change in pursuit of lasting impact.

Q: Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that shaped your path?
A: Earning my doctoral degree was a pivotal moment in my career—both a personal milestone and a professional transformation. It opened doors for me to advanced career opportunities, influential leadership roles, and the ability to shape policy and conduct scientific research. The process challenged me to think critically and systemically, developing my capacity to design education that is responsive to the evolving needs of students, educators, and our community.

More than a degree, it marked a turning point in my leadership journey. Assuming full professor, higher education administrator, and researcher positions gave me the opportunity to influence many lives and advance business opportunities and new discoveries. Combining the areas of healthcare, engineering, and education helped elevate my strategic thinking to apply to roles such as occupational therapist, corporate ergonomist, executive director of an innovation center, associate vice chancellor, director of corporate and nonprofit boards, and Chief Strategist for AI Advancement. The journey to the doctorate took commitment, courage, intellect and resilience, while raising a family.


Q: How do I define leadership, and how do I embody those qualities in my own life?

A: I define leadership as the ability to inspire, influence, and guide individuals or groups toward a shared vision or goal, while creating an environment where people feel valued, empowered, and motivated to contribute their best. I embody this definition by consistently leading with both strategy and heart. My roles as chief strategist and education administrator include building partnerships that bring people together across education, industry, and community to co-create innovative solutions, whether developing new education models, launching innovation labs, creating new startups, building K-16 pipelines that connect students with emerging workforce trends and technologies, or consulting directly with industries for talent development and training. I believe in being inclusive and ensuring that these opportunities reach those who could be left behind. I always try to make people-first decisions and create space for others to lead, grow, and contribute alongside me. I am a visionary, championing innovation and always thinking about the future, especially when it comes to education and workforce development and partnerships. I am a strong proponent of empowering others through mentorship, which is what attracted me to TEMPO. I give tribute to TEMPO for strengthening that passion in me. Mentoring provides growth through guidance. Through my membership in TEMPO, I have built trusting relationships, benefited from learning from others, and shared a purpose of empowering women in leadership. Mentorship for me is a powerful multiplier, amplifying potential, unlocking growth, and strengthening the heart in leadership.

Q: How do you pay it forward and support the next generation of leaders?

A: I believe that true leadership is not defined solely by personal achievements, but by the legacy we create through the people we uplift, mentor, and inspire. Supporting the next generation of leaders is my responsibility and a privilege, one that I embrace through mentorship, advocacy, and a growth mindset. Throughout my professional career, and over 20 years of membership in TEMPO, I have mentored, and continue to mentor, many emerging professionals, particularly women and individuals from underrepresented communities, helping them address challenges, build confidence, and recognize their own leadership potential. I intentionally work to cultivate spaces where all people feel seen, valued, and empowered to lead with authenticity. I practice elevating emerging and established leaders by nominating them for awards that celebrate their advocacy, impact, and commitment to community advancement, and promoting them to be in positions of influence where they can exercise their talents to benefit others. To me, paying it forward is not an act of charity, it is an act of commitment to justice, sustainability, and shared success. It is how I honor those who invested in me, and how I help shape a future of leadership that is more inclusive, more compassionate, and more capable of transformative impact.

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