Before anything else, I am a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend. I acknowledge this first as it informs how I show up professionally, prioritize my goals and boundaries, and learn and lead. Recognizing that everyone shows up as a human with human connections, personal commitments, and responsibilities before they even come into the workforce helps leaders and decision-makers understand the motivation and drivers that impact the day-to-day operation at work. This is also one of the rudimentary tenets of building an inclusive workplace rooted in collective decision-making and restorative practices.

After that, I am a woman of color, specifically Black, Hispanic and Native American, a leader, a motivator, and a “lift-as-I-climber.” It is essential to acknowledge these components of who I am as it directly informs the types of workplaces that I build up, the training that I provide, the lens by which I view unique challenges that may present for specific groups and not for others, and my deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging that moves past just the superficial definitions of DEI&B.

Finally, I am a change-maker, social impact innovator, and aspiring humanitarian. In addition to those listed above, learning, growing, and helping others are the primary motivators I draw upon daily.