About me

I am a strategic, community‑centered leader with more than twenty years of experience spanning nonprofit leadership, cross‑sector partnership development, and strategic communications. As the founder and longtime CEO of Bold Idea, I spent over a decade building one of Dallas’s most trusted pathways for students to access computer science education, mentoring, and career exploration. Under my leadership, the organization grew from a grassroots vision into a high‑impact initiative serving hundreds of Dallas ISD students each year and cultivating a network of volunteers, corporate partners, and community collaborators.

Before launching Bold Idea, I built my career in public relations, leading communications for major brands including Microsoft. That early experience shaped my signature strength: translating complex ideas into clear, compelling stories that mobilize people and resources. I carried that skill into the nonprofit sector, where I became known for my ability to build coalitions, design programs, and steward partnerships that create meaningful, measurable impact.

My work extends far beyond organizational leadership. I have been deeply involved in the Dallas community, contributing to regional efforts in STEM education and youth opportunity. My collaborative approach and systems‑level perspective have made me a trusted partner to community organizations seeking to work more effectively.

Today, I bring my executive experience, relational leadership, and cross‑sector fluency to nonprofits as a strategic advisor and fractional leader.

Courses & Education

  • Claude 101 Certificate, Anthropic, 2026

  • AI Fluency for Nonprofits Certificate, Anthropic, 2026

  • Science of Generosity Certificate, University of Pennsylvania, 2026

  • CCC Leadership Program, 2025

  • Social Innovation Accelerator 2019 Cohort, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

  • Dini Spheris Fundraising Certificate Program, 2019

  • It’s Lonely at the Top, CEO Leadership Training, 2018 – 2022

  • Cause Studio Portfolio Incubator, 2015-2018

BA, Journalism - Public Relations; University of North Texas
2000 - 2005

Community Leadership

  • Innovator-in-Residence, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

  • Founding Board Member, North Texas STEM+ Ecosystem

  • Leadership Board Member, White Rock United Methodist Church

Awards

  • 2025 D Magazine, The Innovation Awards, Finalist

  • 2022 Tech Titans, Technology Advocate Award, Winner

  • 2021 Tech Titans, Technology Advocate Award, Finalist

  • 2021 The Links, Incorporated, Women Who STEAM Award

  • 2019 Dallas City of Learning, Superintendent’s Award

  • 2018 Dallas Business Journal, Women in Technology Honoree and Advocate

  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas

    2017: Community Service Award

    2015: Outstanding Volunteer Award

  • Project: Social media goes mainstream in Oil & Gas

    2010 IABC Dallas Quill Award of Merit

    2010 PRSA Silver Anvil Award

How I Work

I approach every engagement as a thoughtful, collaborative partnership. My goal is to understand your organization from the inside while offering the clarity and perspective that only an external strategist can bring.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

I listen deeply before I act.

I take time to understand your team, your culture, and the pressures you’re navigating. I want to know what’s working, what’s stuck, and what success would feel like for the people doing the work every day.

I bring an outside perspective that helps you see the whole system.

Because I’m not embedded in the day‑to‑day, I can spot patterns, gaps, and opportunities that may be hard to see from the inside. I offer insights with empathy and candor, always grounded in what will strengthen your organization.


I follow through fully and reliably.

When I take something on, you don’t have to worry about it again. I close loops, move work forward, and bring structure to complex or ambiguous situations. Leaders often tell me they feel lighter and more supported because of this.


I operate with clarity, autonomy, and mutual trust.

I want to understand how you want me to fit into the team, and then I take it from there. I don’t need micromanagement. I just need clear expectations, open communication, and a shared sense of purpose.

I integrate into your team with warmth and respect.

I show up as a partner, not a critic. I build trust quickly by being present, reliable, and genuinely invested in your mission. People feel comfortable being honest with me, which helps us get to clarity faster.

I ask the questions that unlock clarity.

Sometimes the most important work is surfacing the thing no one has said out loud yet. I’m not afraid to ask tough questions, but I do it in a way that feels safe, respectful, and constructive.


I work best in environments that value learning and openness.

I thrive with teams who are willing to experiment, give and receive feedback, and try new approaches. I don’t need perfection. I need honesty, curiosity, and a shared commitment to the mission.


I aim to make the work feel lighter, clearer, and more connected.

My presence is steady and grounding. I want leaders to feel less alone, teams to feel more aligned, and the organization to feel more capable of delivering on its mission.