100 articles. Dozens of themes. One incredible journey. It began with Stone Soup — a pot, a spark, and a belief that something meaningful could be made with whatever was in reach.
And now, 100 articles later, it ends (or begins again?) with Norvana — the space I’ve built to reflect it all.

Breaking barriers as a woman in leadership wasn’t just about grit—it was about the right people at the right moments. To the male allies who didn’t just nod along but actually opened doors, gave me a shot, and shared their knowledge—thank you. And to those brave souls who stood up for me, pushed back on the bullies, and made space where there was none—you have no idea how much it meant.

Maybe it’s just the winter blues, but we’re already halfway through February… how did that happen? Yet at the same time, some days feel like they’re dragging endlessly. It’s that weird paradox—time flying by, yet feeling stuck in slow motion. That’s when you need to H.A.L.T. If you’re running on empty and not sure how to refill your tank, let’s talk, I’ll tell you all about the HALT principle and how to apply it.

So...this just may have been me, looking down with trepidation at this enormous sink hole they called a pool, but in truth I wasn't 6 years old like this little girl when I discovered my biggest fear, I was 12, and it was the high dive. Yet the cries of my peers below me shouting (not cheering) "just jump!" didn't do much to make me want to do it.

With the new year on the horizon, I’ve been reflecting on what truly matters. It’s so easy to get swept up in the noise of life—endless to-do lists, distractions, and the constant push for more. But this year, I’ve decided to embrace less. Inspired by Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, I’m taking a hard look at what adds value to my life and what doesn’t. It’s a journey of simplifying, focusing, and rediscovering purpose. Here’s how I’m setting the tone for 2025 with a single resolution that’s all about clarity and intention.

One year ago, I faced a life-altering moment I never expected—my own layoff. In that experience, I discovered the depth of emotions that come with such news, emotions often hidden behind brave faces and casual updates. This is a rather long read, born from a pure stream of thoughts and emotions with no edits. I’m sharing it not just to shed light on my journey but as a call to action. If someone in your circle has faced a layoff, remember, this isn’t just a career bump—it’s a personal upheaval. Your presence, empathy, and support could be exactly what they need to rebuild, one step at a time.

I know hard conversations are hard, and believe me, I've been on the giving and the receiving side of these. Still, I believe there is more good that comes out of having the conversation than in avoiding it. Especially when it comes to giving bad news..."bad news never gets better with time" is a true saying. But there is a graceful way to do this, and it comes with building trust, using compassion, and of course, clarity. Having received the results of the poll I pushed out weeks ago, I had to unpack this further.

For those who know me well, they would share that I'm a creative person who applies design thinking in everything she does. Yet when I was approached by Canvas Rebel to be featured in an upcoming edition, I initially hesitated, as I hadn't thought of myself amongst the "creatives" and a rebel at that. Thinking of this now, it makes perfect sense as every opportunity to create gives you a blank canvas to work with, and even when it isn't quite blank, you can rebel and embellish on it anyway.

Leading a Team of Superheroes - The Honor of a Lifetime is a reflection on my incredible journey with a standout Service Management team. I share insights about the unique strengths each member brought to our mission and how their 'superpowers' made a difference. In addition, I share 5 unique themes that made the magic possible. This article is a tribute to their talent, teamwork, and the profound impact they had on me.

Starting a business with your spouse during a financial crisis taught us more than we could have anticipated. In 2008, my husband and I launched "The Nile," a Mediterranean restaurant, which became a crucible of learning and growth. Here, I share seven critical lessons from our journey, indelibly etched in my memory. These insights, while born from the hospitality industry, apply broadly across any business sector, representing hard-earned wisdom at a steep personal and financial cost. I wonder how many others have learned similar hard lessons as an entrepeneur. While I shared in a vulnerable way just now, I'm hoping to continue to learn from others around as they also share their own experiences!

Coming out of an amazing all Women event- C-Vision's Women with Vision in NYC, it inspired me to release this article focused on innovation. I've come across this question at numerous events, how to cultivate a culture of innovation...afterall, innovation drives digital transformation, or does it? Gave me much to think about over the past few months.

As I started to unpack this, the list grew to 10 things that I've witnessed working, driving the spirit of innovation. I hope you enjoy this piece, and would love to hear which of these you've encountered in your own journey. Do share!

I am honored and humbled by being recently featured in the CIO Times "Top FIVE Influential Leaders the BUSINESS WORLD should know" January edition. This particular recognition is very special to me, as I shared some of my most intimate memories and insights along my leadership journey. Though this feature is a bit on the long side, with 4 pages at the end of the editorial, I've re-embedded it into this article for easier reading.

Sometimes when you break away for some much needed r&r, your lens is refocused and you "sharpen the saw" considerably. On a recent trip, a set of circumstances reminded me of the importance of understanding what's unique about each of us, and how to honor that. For as long as I can remember, I've heard people talk about the Golden rule, which tells you to treat people as you'd want to be treated. But doesn't that assume that we're all the same? I would argue nothing could be further from the truth. Here's a little insight about a different rule you should consider- the Platinum rule; Treat people as THEY want to be treated.

Very few moments in life, especially in our childhood, shape us in ways that matter. This story was inspired by a mentor who recently asked me a simple question about my creativity, my vision as an artist, "what inspired you to this?" It took me back to the very moment that I discovered the power of vision, and the actual paradigm shift that resulted. What's most impactful in this situation was the massive influence of words spoken so simply and so gently, words that lifted the spirt and inspired belief. I will leave the rest to the story...and enjoy the tree, this is the real deal, painted by the shaky hands of a 10 year-old girl who never thought she could ever be called an artist.

A few weeks ago, I was invited to share my “gift” with the fellows of the Institute for Digital Transformation, a pearl of wisdom that would be helpful to others along their journey. I shared 3 things; 1) a reminder that Leadership is a privilege, and to lead is to influence others and to potentially impact not only their careers and but also their lives; 2) as leaders, we should be on a continuous growth journey, so always “look, listen, and learn” every day, everywhere, and in every way; 3) the ABC’s of Leadership- it’s about hashtag#authenticity , hashtag#boldness , and hashtag#courage .

Wondering how to truly transform your New Year’s resolutions? Let me share my secret and a few personal stories born from a decade's worth of insights. In short, I do three things, I set a “theme” for each year, then I carefully curate a short list of real goals that then become my resolution. And finally, I execute! Take this journey with me.

Ever wondered about the secret to genuine employee engagement? 'Unveiling the Secret Sauce: Cultivating Employee Engagement with Caring as the Recipe' breaks it down. Explore practical insights that demystify the path to fostering a workplace where genuine care fuels success. This isn't just an article; it's your guide to transforming workplace culture.

Few situations in life hit you hard and give you a bit of a reality check. In the wake of the upheavals brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, my recent observations have underscored a fundamental truth: people are the linchpin in the complex equation of success. Now, 3+ years later, as we navigate the new normal, the resilience, creativity, and adaptability of individuals have emerged as the driving force. Here are a few valuable lessons learned during these challenging times, emphasizing that, more than ever, it's the human spirit that not only endures but propels us toward innovation and growth.

Here's a thought...in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the modern business world, there's a fundamental, human element that anchors the entire equation: trust. This trust forms the equilibrium between employees and the companies they work for, and between customers and the companies they choose to engage with. It's the invisible thread that weaves the human touch into business relationships, fostering an atmosphere where collaboration and progress can thrive. Inspired by Stephen M. R. Covey , this article unpacks how trust underpins the synergy between employees and companies and the loyalty between customers and their chosen service providers, ultimately shaping the very essence of business success.

It's easy to overlook the critical role played by dedicated individuals who keep our customers satisfied and our operations running seamlessly in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of business, where technology often takes center stage. National Customer Service Week (NCSW) serves as a vital reminder that exceptional customer service is not a solitary effort but a collective endeavor involving every department, including your IT team. Beyond the immediate benefits of providing excellent customer service, NCSW is an opportunity to foster a culture of recognition, celebration, and engagement within your organization. It's a week dedicated to acknowledging the tireless efforts of those who consistently go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction, and it underscores the fact that exceptional customer service is a shared responsibility. There's tangible significance to leveraging NCSW as a catalyst to instill a culture of appreciation and engagement, both essential for sustained success in today's competitive business landscape. I've celebrated this unique week with several teams over the last 2 decades, and found it to be part of the secret sauce to increasing engagement and a sense of purpose.