ABOUT ME

Why JourneyUp?

All based on the story below - one that felt meandering and random at the time - I find myself here. I am meant to be here. My professional experience and own personal challenges have woven together to create authentic me. I started JourneyUp Coaching to help people:

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• Find their authentic leadership voice and style through reflection and self-awareness

• Drive to achieve goals while also appreciating a journey that feels aligned with their values

• Run towards something fulfilling rather than run from something that is not a fit

• Develop resume, interviewing, and job-seeking skills 

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Early Years

• I spent my early years playing competitive sports, with the singular focus of earning a Division I college athletic scholarship.

• Once I finally achieved my goal, I felt frustrated and disappointed to discover that the experience didn't meet my expectations. I "retired" after one year, wondering what defined me if I didn't play basketball.

• It took me 10 more years to realize that my focus on the final destination had significantly detracted from my genuine appreciation of the journey.

• In hindsight, I had spent my life chasing the grade, the scholarship, and achievement, and I never paused to reflect if I was enjoying the journey, or if I aligned my choices with my values.

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Early Career - Restaurant Operations

• I spent six years in hospitality operations as a manager and General Manager running a P&L and leading teams of 100+ people.

• The restaurant felt like a natural extension of a sports environment - leading a group of people towards a common goal in a highly intense and fast-paced environment.

• This was a significant and thrilling challenge, but unsustainable for me, and I burned out.

• Lost and unsure where to go next, I found myself running away from my previous role rather than intentionally running towards a true fit for me.

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Mid-Career - Talent Consulting

• I eventually joined a talent consulting firm, Korn Ferry, and found a new home in executive recruiting and talent management.

• My experience ranged across C-suite/senior level recruiting, interviewing and talent assessment, to helping clients with learning & development programs, assessment and hi-potential talent strategy.

 

Family Life & Entrepreneurship 

• After eight years in the talent space, I left the workforce to raise my young family (amidst Covid). I felt torn between my professional need to achieve and my desire for balance and family time. It has been a multi-faceted and incredible journey - one which I am still navigating. 

• With my need for continued growth and intellectual curiosity, I began my Masters of Science in Learning and Organizational Change at Northwestern University while concurrently completing my Organizational and Leadership Coaching Certificate.

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JourneyUp Coaching is my coaching practice, while JourneyUp Advisory serves businesses with a range of talent management and learning development needs.

 

If you have questions or any of this resonates with you I would love to chat!