Business Advisor Self Empowerment Catalyst Author Speaker Host
About
I've had a diverse background in corporate and non profit C-Suite positions in many industries, leading teams of people to personal, professional and business success. Today, I mainly consult in the areas of business and marketing strategy, organizational development and internal/external communications. My mission and passion in all that I do is to uplift individuals, organizations and humanity by empowering people to be their best selves. This requires a deep love for self, others and life on earth.
For my complete work history, education and certifications, please visit my LinkedIn profile.
For more info about me, my passions and spirit, keep reading....
Secrets to Success in Life & Work
Embrace Change
I have embodied a spirit of change, innovation and reinvention throughout my career with leadership positions in both corporate and nonprofit sectors, and in diverse industries such as magazine and book publishing, health and wellness, metaphysics, hospitality and high tech. I have been a salesperson, advertising manager, publisher, CEO, executive director, author, lyricist, scriptwriter, inspirational speaker, Internet show host, meditation teacher, business consultant, hypnotherapist, and realtor! Having a variety of skills in different industries allows me to think outside the box.
Turn Challenges into Opportunities
Back in the day, when I was the publisher of Network Computing Magazine and publishing director of Internet Week, there were only a handful of female publishers and none as young as me. It was a rewarding career path, but during the height of it, I suffered devastating tragedies in my family. In a period of four years, I lost four family members—one from suicide. These experiences changed the trajectory of my life and career. I could’ve wallowed in self-pity, but instead, I decided to turn my experience into something positive. I left my corporate job and executive compensation and started writing books to help people overcome challenges in life. That launched a whole new career as a personal growth expert and speaker, with an emphasis on increasing one’s self-awareness and happiness.
I knew first hand that personal growth was intrinsically linked to professional success, and that to be a great leader, you need a healthy dose of self-worth, self-love and compassion for others as well as a keen set of tools to manage stress and change. Since I started writing books, I have spoken to, written about and advised thousands of business groups and individuals alike in adopting healthy lifestyle and work habits from active exercise to passive meditation (which corporate circles now call “mindfulness”).
Keep Reinventing Yourself
In 2010, I joined Stillheart Institute as Executive Director (and later CEO) to launch the organization as a spiritual, health and wellness retreat center. I never planned to run a nonprofit facility with clients who ranged from spiritual gurus to corporate leaders, but it was an amazing experience that once again, changed the direction of my career. After four successful years, I initiated and led the sale of the facility.
Other opportunities and contract positions have came my way since then that allowed me to combined my business leadership expertise with my personal passions. I was CEO for Professional Business Women of California (PBWC), a membership organization advancing gender equity and women’s leadership in corporations. I got to run a public access cable TV station as Interim Executive Director for MidPen Media Center . I was Acting CEO for SHE Living, a media platform created by women to enhance the voice of the feminine. After that, I was General Manager of CanyonRanch Wellness Retreat - Woodside overseeing a reconstruction and launch of the new center. Ironically, it was the same property I managed as CEO of Stillheart Institute! Currently, I continue to pursue creative media projects that enhance people's lives and consult in business strategy and organizational development. In Summer, 2021, I will be launching a series of four online courses for self-empowerment.
Follow Your Passion
Being creative fuels my spirit. To me, that means telling stories that inspire and empower people through books, articles, songs, online courses, talks and film.
My two nonfiction books are: The Goddess of Happiness: A Down-to-Earth Guide for Heavenly Balance and Bliss and Vita’s Will: Real Life Lessons about Life, Death & Moving On. In 2013, I wrote my first novel: Note to Self: Love, with an accompanying screenplay. All of my books have an overarching theme of self-empowerment, self-awareness and self-love. My blog has appeared on multiple platforms including Huff Post, Medium and Mogul. I'm always open to meeting passionate people in the media, music, TV and film industries. That's how stories are told and magic happens!
Have Fun!
I love food (eating, cooking and entertaining) fashion (color and style), fitness (jumping on my trampoline), funky music (from the 70’s), films (without violence), puppy kisses, dancing (like nobody’s watching), laughing out loud (healing medicine), my husband (love of my life), our dog "children", and anything Italian! Yes, I’m Italian from “Da Bronx”, although I currently live on the CA “left coast”).
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