About me
I am a life long learner and student of personal and professional development. I put what I learn into action. I walk the talk so that I can be an effective and authentic leader and coach. I have an extensive background in business and have been an entrepreneur since the age of 19. Having worked in retail and real estate in my adult life, prior to coaching, I developed many skills that lead to success in the world.
Coaching business
I have been a coach for almost 20 years, starting with just business/sales coaching for a company over 7 years. I like to call what I do today whole life coaching. It incorporates life and business and all other areas of life- because everything is connected. I learned when coaching 45 business coaching clients per WEEK for several years, that when something is going off kilter with business results, it is almost always something in another area of life that is causing it.
I have earned one of the top credentials available in the world of coaching, the PCC through the International Coach Federation. (ICF) I have extensive experience in coaching 1000’s of people over the years, which differentiates me from most coaches from the start.
ICF Credential-holders are part of a self-regulating group of elite coaches who provide accountability to clients and the coaching profession as a whole. They pursue and complete rigorous education and practice requirements that provide unquestioned legitimacy to their commitment to excellence in coaching.
I am a Founding Member of the world wide John Maxwell Team of coaches, speakers and trainers and was one of 12 people chosen out of thousands to make up the very first Presidents Advisory Council. (PAC)
I am certified in Power Coaching with Mind Kinetics, Thinking Styles and a certified instructor of How Much Joy Can You Stand. I am currently enrolled in two certification trainings- Certified Reinvention Specialist and Certified Well Being Practitioner.
I am an avid student of Positive Psychology and use it extensively in my coaching, teaching and speaking. I am adept in using the VIA Character Strength Assessment to help clients to determine and use their strengths in the biggest way possible. I have a certificate in Positive Psychology from Penn State, where the whole field started.
In 2015 I earned my 200RYT certification and have been teaching Mindful Yoga and meditation for three years. I have had a daily meditation practice for over 15 years and it has served me immensely in my life and business.
Just for fun! My first job in high school was at McDonalds as a counter person where I earned the McDonalds All American Award! I was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America in High School and I still hold the Springfield High School (VT) high jump record.
I am a graduate of Champlain College with a degree in Business and Fashion Merchandising and Retailing. My Champlain college professors gave me my start in the business world and continue to be an important part of my life to this day.
Living a full, joyful life in all areas is something I have been a student of for my entire life, even when I didn’t know it. Now while continuing to be a student of living my best life, I am a teacher of it, as well.
Honors and Involvement
While at Champlain College I was given the Most Outstanding Freshman Award, chosen by the professors in the Business Administration division. In my senior year I was elected vice president of my class- a role I will always fondly remember! This is where I learned to plan and orchestrate events, skills gained that have served me well.
A few years after graduation I was asked to join the Champlain College board of trustees as the youngest alum ever to become a board member. I was also given the Robert E. Skiff Leadership award.
Multiple top producer awards over 19 years in sales (real estate) and voted Favorite Realtor in the State of Vermont in the Burlington Free Press reader’s poll.
Over the years I have considered it an important choice to be active in my community. Besides my Champlain College involvement, these are some of the other things I have been involved in:
Past:
- Flynn Center For the Performing Arts Board member
- Northwestern VT Board of Realtors, several roles
- Burlington Business and Professional Womens Club VP
- Women Business Owners Network Board member
- Chair of Annual Go Red For Women, an event of the American Heart Association
- Shelburne Museum Events Committee
- Arthritis Foundation Board Member
Current:
- Stiller Women in Business Advisory Board
- Champlain College Single Parent Program Event Committee
- August 2019 Participant in Cyclenation, an event benefitting the American Heart Association
- Board member, Love Light Compassion Foundation
- Boys and Girls Club of Burlington, Great Futures Steering Committee
- Activities around my son in high school and basketball.
I have also taken on as a passion over the past few years to work on educating parents and teens about drug and alcohol addiction and dangers. I speak freely and offer help and advice and support wherever needed and wanted. I have a passion for helping parents and their teens communicate in a new way utilizing the VIA Character Strengths.
Personal
Many people are surprised to find out that I am a born and raised Vermonter from Springfield. I am a mom of two kiddos who have been my greatest training in all areas of personal growth- body, mind and spirit. My husband and I have been married for over 25 years and boy oh boy does that take a lot of grace for both of us! I have to mention our furry children as well- Daryl the Yorkie Poo is over 14 and in charge of all of us. We recently lost our big girl Carolina, a sweet rescue dog from Kentucky who we got as a puppy. She was 11.
Mentors and Teachers
I have had the privilege to learn from the best- from college professors to mentors to coaches and instructors- I am grateful to have learned from…
- Phyllis Emmons
- Jay McKee
- Cheryl Richardson
- Howard Brinton
- Mike Ferry
- Debbie DeGrote
- Matthew Ferry
- Ron Patulski
- John and Betska Burr
- Valorie Burton
- Lisa Ventriss
- Natalie Marie Collins
- John Maxwell
- Paul Martinelli
- Nadya Zhexembayeva
- Michelle McQuaid and her team