About Grace

I work with leaders and organizations who want more than good intentions or polished language.

They want to act differently, and they’re willing to do the work that requires.

My work is intense, hands-on, and action-oriented, grounded in real situations and real consequences.

It’s also thoughtful, human, and – yes – often fun. Humor and curiosity aren’t distractions from serious work; they’re the tools that make change possible.

At the core of what I do is a simple statement from the remarkable Rear Admiral Grace Hopper:

“You don’t manage people – you manage things. You lead people.”

Why this work matters to me

Bad leadership does real damage.

Not just to organizations, but to people’s lives; to teams, colleagues, and the families and friends who live with the fallout of exhaustion, anxiety, and frustration carried home at the end of the day.

I’ve seen that damage. I’ve experienced it.

So I care deeply about reducing it.

And that’s why my work focuses on helping leaders:

  • see situations more clearly,
  • take responsibility for how they show up,
  • and act with intention rather than habit or fear.

Finding a better perspective matters.

Doing something about it matters more.

How I work

I work at the intersection of leadership, communication, and change, helping people navigate complexity without flattening it into slogans or checklists.

Across speaking, training, and coaching, my approach is consistent:

  • clarity before action,
  • action over endless processing,
  • and experimentation without overthinking.

I work best with people who are willing to engage honestly, reflect on their own patterns, try things in the real world, and come back ready to learn from what happened.

A bit of context

I bring decades of leadership experience working in and with complex organizations, particularly in environments shaped by technology, change, and competing demands.

Over the years, I’ve worked with leaders at many levels. Not by handing out scripts (I’m allergic to scripts!) or cookie-cutter best practices, but by helping them think more clearly and act more deliberately within the specific situations they face.

If this approach feels right

If this way of thinking and working feels like a fit, you’ll find more detail on my Speaking & Training and Coaching pages.

And if your organization or team is ready for work that leads to real change – not just inspiration – contact me with context, goals, and how you hope things will be different.

Grace peeking through the gap in a very large geode slice.

Odd facts about me

  • 2002 Fastest Knitter in America; appeared on Good Morning America to compete for the World Title. (yes, really!) Lost by three stitches in three minutes. Sigh.
  • Certified (certifiable?) cat person who once (unintentionally) had ten cats (yes, it was very furry).
  • Clan Leslie Society International: lineal (direct descent) member.
  • Someone who routinely saves earthworms off rainy pavements. Turns out the best tool for picking up the squirmy, slimy little things is a golf tee. Who knew?