I was a senior exec for 20 years where I led business strategy, enterprise risk management, corporate communication, social media, strategic intelligence, research, corporate social responsibility, marketing and brand. I worked with the CEO to transform the culture from one of command-and-control to respectful debate and very high employee engagement (we became #6 on Canada's Top 50 Companies list). I became fascinated by the intersection of trust, leadership, high performance and employee engagement (my Master's thesis was on this topic). I learned that employees are thirsty for honest feedback that helps them get out of their own way IF they trust that the leader has their back.

I now run my own business as a coach (executive, career and life coaching), speaker, business strategist and leadership consultant. I revel in helping people to reach their potential.

I have two grown sons, one with autism (who is working full time and happy in his skin). I am passionate about flower gardening, but live in the harsh Canadian Prairies, where 3 months of warmth is the best it gets.

I'm writing a book called The Accidental Executive, which contains leadership lessons from a free spirit who never planned this life.