Authenticity
Be honest about what I know, what I don’t, and when I have made a mistake.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE WORK
A little
about me.
My career has taken me from a family restaurant to enterprise technology, operations, and teaching. The work has changed; learning from people has stayed at the center.
ROOTED IN REAL EXPERIENCE
From Duff’s Dogs
to the C-suite.
My journey into leadership started behind a counter at Duff’s Dogs, our family-run restaurant business in Chicago. My parents, siblings, and I launched it with no prior industry experience. At one point, we operated two locations, alongside a traveling cart. We learned by listening to customers, adapting quickly, and doing the work together. As demand grew, we rethought everything from packaging to food preparation to shorten waits.
Those lessons became the foundation of a career spanning enterprise technology, project management, cybersecurity, and SaaS. My experience includes Walgreens, UL Solutions, MOXFIVE, and HighLevel.
Alongside my executive work, I teach project management and leadership at Purdue Global and Concordia University Chicago. My writing draws on the same questions I encounter at work and in the classroom: how to earn trust, address problems, and help people grow.
A CHICAGO FAMILY BUSINESS
The place behind the story.
This Duff’s Dogs location occupied a former Taco Bell/KFC building, with a dining area, drive-through, and its own parking lot. Our family business grew to two locations. Running it taught me lessons I still use: listen to the people doing the work, notice where things slow down, and make practical improvements.
WHAT GUIDES ME
What I try to practice.
Accountability
Deal with the discomfort of addressing issues now, rather than the dysfunction later.
Growth
Keep learning, ask for feedback, and make time to help someone else develop.
Resilience
Face everything and rise. Work through the problem, adapt when needed, and keep going.
ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
Education
2023
Doctor of Business Administration — Strategic Leadership & Innovation
Concordia University Chicago
Dissertation: Leadership Strategies for Prioritization Processes and Tools from a PMO Perspective
2019
MBA, Information Technology Management
Western Governors University
Focus on technology strategy, organizational leadership, and business transformation
RECOGNITION & DISTINCTIONS
Recognition and
the work behind it.
Phoenix Award
Received MOXFIVE’s highest honor, presented by the CEO, for exceptional contributions to the company.
Integrity · Accountability · Collaboration · Resilience · Excellence
Doctoral Welcome keynote speaker
Selected to represent the graduating class and address the incoming DBA cohort on leadership, resilience, and the doctoral journey.
Made it Easy Award
Recognized for simplifying complex situations through innovative solutions, process improvements, and collaboration.
Inspirational Leadership Award
Recognized for teaching, mentoring, hosting events, and leading special projects within Global Program Management. My contributions also included UL’s global Project Portfolio Management solution, connecting project intake, investment decisions, resources, and delivery. Selected as the award’s recipient from an organization of more than 15,000 employees.
Four Challenge Coins
Recognition for strengthening technology, delivery practices, and the careers of the people doing the work.
2019 · UL CHALLENGE COIN
Career & Compensation Framework
Developing global project management roles, career paths, and equitable salary structures with HR and Finance.
2018 · UL CHALLENGE COIN
Technology Acquisition Framework
Creating a consistent approach to secure, cost-effective technology evaluation and purchasing.
2017 · UL CHALLENGE COIN
Core Technology Remediation
Leading global technology integration and addressing cybersecurity risk across legacy environments.
2016 · UL CHALLENGE COIN
SDLC & Project Delivery Redesign
Building repeatable delivery standards that support different ways of working across the organization.
Mark of Excellence team nomination
Led UL’s IT General Controls (ITGC) efforts, building and maintaining global controls supporting risk management and regulatory compliance. The team was nominated for UL’s Mark of Excellence.
Four Employee of the Month awards
Recognition for improving pharmacy technology, service-desk operations, and the development of the people supporting them.
Digital recreations of personal awards, based on photographs and recollections.
View recognition on LinkedInGET IN TOUCH