Leadership

While I enjoy creating things as an individual contributor, I truly found my stride in leadership roles. My first experience as a people manager came in my 20s at Octel Communications, where I learned how to support and guide a team to success. Later at Cisco, I embraced several different leadership roles, each offering unique challenges and opportunities.

No matter the team I manage, I always lead with compassion, a commitment to continuous learning, and a focus on supporting my team. I believe in working alongside my team to understand their challenges and celebrate their successes.

People Management

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to lead teams with very diverse talents, including developer advocates, engineers, community managers, program managers, and technical writers. I’ve found that the best leadership comes from listening, clear communication, and creating an environment where people can grow and do their best work.

At Cisco, I led global teams creating helpful resources and providing strong support. I focused on building trust, encouraging professional growth, and leading by example, whether that meant mentoring team members into leadership roles, structuring teams in a way that worked across time zones, or bringing different groups together to improve collaboration.

I want to help people succeed, solve problems together, and make sure the work we do has real impact. That's where I get the most out of my leadership experience.

Program Management

I also really enjoy running programs. Many of the skills I use as a people manager also apply to successful program management. After earning my PMP certification (cert number 1225518) in 2008, I’ve continually refined my skills in program strategy, execution, and impact measurement. I have implemented platforms, produced events, and run operations for several programs.

Education and Certification

While I have a great deal of experience in leadership, I back that up with my education and certifcation. I am a proud Otter, getting my MBA from California State University, Monterey Bay. I also got my PMP certification in 2008 and have maintained my standing. I am always looking for way to improve my leadership skills.

Leadership is about more than titles. It’s about inspiring others, creating a vision, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. I’m excited to continue leading teams, programs, and initiatives that make a positive impact.