I’m the incurable, optimistic entrepreneur who drives the ship. With an ever-present smile and boundless energy, I’m always looking for practical solutions that maximize the potential of our clients. I’m a bit competitive (you have to be when you work with two English partners), but it drives my passion for the betterment of CO OP’s clients and our team.
The moment I stepped into the Kent Institute of Art & Design, my world changed. Art college was just a surreal and wonderful place – a creative sanctuary full of like-minded people. It was a brilliant experience with a blank canvas. After four years, I walked out the door with a creative brief for my career, a Bachelor of Arts degree, and more importantly, an open mind.
I come from seven generations of missionaries. I’ve lived on three continents in three amazing cities: Hong Kong, London, and New York. I’ve done business in 44 countries. I am driven to explore places and to understand what makes people tick. And I have the rare knack of always having my bearings. Oxford University trained my brain and gave me a love of big words.
Two years ago, I became a single mom to my beautiful daughter, Isabella. My priorities shifted and I realized the importance of balancing my family support and love for her with my love for work as an operations specialist. Ironically, I find the two feed off each other, as I’m responsible for streamlining processes and improving workflow with focus on overall company profitability and launching new systems for bill / pay, campaign management and programmatic buying platforms.
Originally from Austin, I subscribe to the Texan mythology 100 percent that you “Don’t mess with Texas” and respect the land. So, I bring out my protective Texas momma bear when needed. I believe that “bigger is better” — big ideas, big risks, big laughs, big hair. I’m dubious of characters who are “all hat, no cattle,” haven’t pulled their weight or take themselves too seriously. I’m inspired by pioneers with an entrepreneurial, fearless spirit. And just for the record, I know how to use a rattlesnake kit.
I love to explore. I’ve strived (yet has happened quite organically) to be bi-coastal most of my life with a stint in Austin, TX. As much as I love that city, I’m not too keen on being land-locked (see Jennifer Grady’s bio here on this page). I’ve even lived in Cancun, Mexico working as CMO of an exotic hotel group along the Rivera Maya for three years. The restaurant I opened there and built with my bare hands is still thriving if you’re ever in the neighborhood.
The pragmatist in me decided to major in business. The dreamer in me longed to study the arts. After one semester, I decided to follow my passion. While my father was traveling in the Middle East, I changed my major from business to art. When my father returned he said, “you better turn your art into a business.” And that’s exactly what I did.
As the oldest of five kids, I’ve always thrived in chaos. I love when my environment challenges me to find creative solutions. This is what initially attracted me to the branding and marketing world. I revel in the messiness and the imperfections that come from developing great creative. You have to pivot, start again, rethink until ultimately, beauty emerges from the chaos.
I’ve always been curious by nature. And what I mean by that is I’m interested in my natural surroundings; people, personalities, interactions and how all these things come together. All these components help me in my job to achieve the goals of the business. I strive to understand the motivations of each partner to help ensure success at CO OP. And of course that means making sure the numbers add up.
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Founded: 2002
First Office: LPQ, Soho
First Client: IMAX
Market Expertise: New York, Boston, Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Houston
Destination Expertise: Commercial, Corporate, Hospitality, Mixed Use, Residential, Retail
Founding Partners’ Birthdays: March 24th