I’m not one for small talk or safe choices. Life’s too short for watered-down experiences. I’ve raced my own shadow up a mountainside at dawn, swapped stories over midnight tacos with strangers-turned-friends in far-flung cities, and rolled up my sleeves to build something that matters in my own backyard. Along the way, I’ve learned that whether you’re on a trail or in a boardroom, it’s the people you meet and the purpose you serve that make the journey worthwhile.

Building Community and Giving Back

Community isn’t just a buzzword to me – it’s a lifeline. I thrive on bringing people together for something bigger than ourselves. Whether it’s raising funds at a local charity cook-off or rallying volunteers for a neighborhood clean-up, I believe in the power of collective action. I’ve thrown my heart and time into causes that make a difference – from preserving wildlife with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF’s mission is to conserve nature and protect the diversity of life on Earth), to granting wishes for kids fighting critical illnesses with Make-A-Wish (an organization that helps fulfill life-changing wishes for children in need). I’ve stood with environmental advocates at Sierra Club outings, and I’ve sat with survivors through Children of the Night, which works to rescue exploited youth from life on the streets. Each of these communities has taught me the same lesson: we rise by lifting others.

I’m passionate about building organizations and events that give back. I’ve seen first-hand how a shared mission can light up a room – or even a whole town. From organizing charity hikes that unite adventurers for a cause, to spearheading community drives that get kids books and meals, I pour my energy into turning empathy into action. The reward? Seeing hope spark in someone’s eyes, knowing you played a small part in it. In those moments, titles and egos fall away; we’re just people helping people.

Hiking and Exploration

If you really want to know me, follow me into the wild. I’ve always felt most alive with a pack on my back and dirt on my boots. Hiking isn’t just a hobby – it’s my meditation, my teacher, and occasionally my humble pie. I’ve trekked through sun-scorched canyons and up wind-swept peaks, each trail whispering a new story. There was the time I got happily lost in a dense redwood forest (with nothing but the sound of my heartbeat and the chatter of birds for company), and the day I finally summited a mountain peak at sunrise, lungs burning and soul soaring as the world turned gold around me. Out there on the trail, I’ve been sunburned, snow-blinded, and utterly blissful.

Every hike is a lesson in resilience and wonder. You learn to pace yourself, respect the elements, and appreciate how small you are against a canvas of thousand-year-old trees or endless desert sky. I carry those lessons off the trail and into everyday life. Hiking taught me to embrace the unknown – the unmarked path, the unexpected encounter – which is probably why I’m as comfortable exploring new ideas as I am exploring new terrain. And exploration isn’t limited to nature; I’ll just as readily wander a hidden alley in a foreign city, chasing the aroma of street food (but more on that in a minute). Whether I’m scrambling up a rocky incline or navigating a crowded bazaar, the explorer in me is always seeking that next horizon.

Food, Culture, and Travel

I have an insatiable appetite for food and culture – in the Anthony Bourdain sense of the phrase. Food isn’t just sustenance for me; it’s story, identity, and connection. I’ve broken bread with villagers on remote hilltops and clinked glasses with new friends in bustling night markets. I’ll never forget the first time I slurped pho on a Hanoi sidewalk, sitting on a tiny plastic stool with traffic whirring behind me. That hot, fragrant bowl of soup taught me more about Vietnam – its warmth, its hustle, its balance of bold flavors – than any guidebook ever could. Likewise, a simple plate of handmade pasta and a hearty laugh shared with an Italian nonna in a Tuscan kitchen showed me the meaning of hospitality without a single word spoken in English.

My travels have taken me from the colorful chaos of spice markets in Marrakech to the tranquil rice terraces of Bali, from steel-and-glass global cities to sleepy villages where roosters outnumber Wi-Fi signals. I seek out local fare and local stories wherever I go. Street tacos at midnight in Mexico City? Don’t mind if I do. Grilled fish straight off the boat on a Thai beach? I’m first in line. I’ve learned to say cheers in a dozen languages and to appreciate that every culture has its own flavor – literal and figurative. These experiences have seasoned me with a deep respect for diversity and an urge to keep exploring. Every trip, every meal, every person I meet along the way has a way of expanding my perspective and reminding me how much more there is to taste and to learn.

Professional Experience

By day (and often by night), I’m a professional storyteller and community builder. I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years – marketer, manager, mentor, you name it. I started my career in the fast-paced corporate world, cutting my teeth on high-stakes projects where deadlines were tight and expectations tighter. I’ve led teams and launched initiatives, learning how to navigate the boardroom as confidently as I navigate a switchback trail. In an office or on a conference call, I’m that person who isn’t afraid to speak up, to challenge the status quo, and to rally everyone towards a common goal.

My passion for community has shaped my career choices at every step. I gravitated toward roles where I could bring people together, whether it was building a brand’s fan community online or organizing employee volunteer days that got my colleagues out giving back in our neighborhoods. I’ve managed projects that spanned continents and campaigns that touched hearts. Through it all, I kept things authentic – I communicate in plain language (a habit from writing and traveling) and treat colleagues and clients like fellow humans with real stories, not just titles. This approach has earned me trust, lasting friendships, and the occasional nickname of “the connector,” which I wear like a badge of honor.

Today, with years of experience under my belt, I’m just as hungry for the next challenge as I was on day one. The only difference is, now I know the landscape – I navigate it with the hard-won wisdom that only comes from a few missteps and a lot of miles. The corporate grind taught me how to think on my feet, but it’s my outside passions that taught me why I do it: to make an impact, tell a meaningful story, and leave any team or community better than I found it.

Personal Philosophy

If there’s one mantra that guides me, it’s this: never stop exploring, never stop caring, never stop growing. I believe in staying curious and open-minded, whether I’m meeting a new culture or a new colleague. Every person has a story worth hearing, if you’re willing to listen. Every experience – even the uncomfortable ones – are opportunities to learn (and often the best stories later). I’ve learned to embrace discomfort: the kind that comes from venturing outside your comfort zone, pushing past a personal limit, or confronting a tough problem head-on. That’s where the magic happens.

I also believe deeply in kindness and authenticity. The world’s a tough place; a little empathy goes a long way. I try to live by the rule of treating the janitor with the same respect as the CEO, the stranger with the same warmth as a friend. Maybe it’s all the traveling – seeing how folks around the world value community and hospitality – or maybe it was my mentors early on, but I’ve come to realize that success means nothing if you lose your humanity along the way. Do good, eat well, laugh often, and when you can, leave a place better than you found it. That’s my philosophy in a nutshell.

Work Ethic

When it comes to work, I’m all in – no reservations and no nonsense. Blame it on my first kitchen job washing dishes years ago, or the influence of role models who taught me the value of grit: I don’t do anything halfway. My work ethic was forged in environments where showing up early, staying late, and doing whatever it takes was just the norm. I carry that same mindset into every project and team I’m part of. If a task needs doing, I do it – whether it’s a strategic planning session with executives or hauling boxes at a charity event. No job is too small or too dirty if it moves the mission forward.

I’m the kind of person who actually likes the pressure of a deadline and the heat of a challenge. It’s a bit like the rush of a dinner service in a busy kitchen – hectic, sure, but exhilarating when you’re in the zone. I’ve been told I have a relentless drive, and it’s true: I take pride in my work and I don’t quit until it’s done right. But I’ve also learned the importance of balance. Work hard, absolutely, but also savor the rewards and take time to recharge – because burning out helps no one. In practice, that means if I’m leading a project, I’ll put in the hours and sweat to see it succeed, and I’ll also encourage my team to celebrate the wins (usually with good food involved, naturally).

At the end of the day, my work ethic boils down to integrity and perseverance. Do what you say you’re going to do. Give it your best, especially when no one’s watching. And treat your team like family – because work is a lot more meaningful when we’ve got each other’s backs. I find that when you work like that, not only do you get results – you earn respect. And for me, that respect, from colleagues and community alike, is worth more than any paycheck.

So, who am I? I’m an explorer – of places, ideas, and human connections. I’m as comfortable under a canopy of stars as I am under fluorescent office lights (though given the choice, I’ll take the stars). I’m a storyteller and a doer, fueled by passion and pastry in equal measure. I’m someone who isn’t afraid to get lost, because I’ve found that’s often how you truly find yourself. I believe in living life with no reservations, plenty of curiosity, and a whole lot of heart. And if you’re looking for me, I’ll be out there somewhere – building a community, climbing the next peak, or seated on a wobbly stool in a street-food joint, eager for whatever life serves up next.