Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, I wanted to be Wonder Woman.

 

And I had the underoos to prove it. I mean, she had a lasso of truth and an invisible jet! And she was always on a crusade for the safety and well-being of humanity.

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After college I worked at a public relations firm, did public affairs for a Chicago zoo and ran media relations for a children's hospital. Later I moved to New York City and produced documentaries and reality TV shows. (a strange juxtaposition, I know...)

 

For as long as I can remember, I was playing in traffic at the intersection of truth + communication...for the greater good.

At age 23, I started Girls Fight Back (GFB), which produces entertaining violence prevention assemblies at high schools and colleges. I launched it after the death of my sorority sister, Shannon McNamara (pictured at right), who was murdered in her college apartment in 2001. 

 

Shannon is my heroine. Her brave fight for her life opened my eyes to the dark side of humanity. But I've always been conscious about staying in the light and finding the silver linings. I believe the messiness in life can also become our messages...and those words can help so many people. 

GFB seminars have reached millions of people at live events worldwide. Our team of international speakers gave seminars in the USA, India and Pakistan. I wrote a book called Girls Fight Back: The College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself, and also wrote a recurring column for CosmoGirl magazine.

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But despite our success, I always had a nagging feeling that I wasn't fully "on purpose." I was followed by a hazy cloud that made me feel confused about what I was doing, and wondering if I was doing it "right". Later I realized that I wasted a lot of time, money and resources simply trying to connect to my why, so that my message could shine. 

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I sold GFB in 2013, and remain an advisor today. My next endeavor was coaching speakers for TED and TEDx. My clients started going viral, and I realized my unconventional process to clarify their purpose, simplify their message and amplify their truth was resonating.

 

This method is called The Dig. Together we distill your entire truth down to just one word. This word becomes your north star, serving as constant guidance as to what you're here to learn and teach. Your unique operating system is revealed, which is also your core message. 

 

Today, with 20+ years experience as a purpose-driven entrepreneur and communications professional, I've been a midwife to hundreds of folks to share their authentic self with the world. I am so grateful to do this work. 

 

I'm still a wannabe Wonder Woman, and have been known to show up at random Starbucks dressed up in my best Linda Carter (watch my TEDx talk to get the joke). Because really, we can't take ourselves too seriously...and we all deserve to feel like a superhero once in awhile.