Some stories never make it onto a résumé.
They live in conversations that linger long after they end, in the moment a mentor says something that sparks a new way of thinking, and in the decisions made when no one is watching. Often, these are the moments that shape us most.
This summer, I'm serving as a fellow with Education Pioneers, a national nonprofit that places emerging leaders in strategy and operations roles across schools and education organizations. Their mission is to build a pipeline of leaders committed to equity and systems-level change in education.
As part of this experience, I'm launching a reflection series - a space to share the conversations, lessons, and turning points that shape the work. Each entry will explore something that stayed with me: a question that challenged my assumptions, a conversation that shifted my perspective, or a moment that changed how I approached a problem.
This isn't a series about showcasing what I've built. It's about documenting what has shaped the thinking behind the work through the lessons learned, the moments of uncertainty, the guidance that arrived at the right time, and the people who helped move the work forward.
I'm doing this because I believe the most meaningful stories are found beneath the surface - in the people, the process, and all of the moments in between.
Some stories change everything. This is where I reflect on mine.
Enjoy!
Yes, but not for the reasons people usually expect.
The speech below was shared with MA/MBA cohort members, their families, my family, and Johns Hopkins and MICA staff on MA/MBA showcase day, following our MICA graduation.
Recently, I had one of the most impactful leadership conversations in the backseat of an Uber. This is not abnormal to me. I love random conversations that are about more than the weather. The types of conversations that you reference back to. I shared with the driver that I was excited about a new opportunity but hesitant because I didn't...
"No matter how bad your day was, when you put your head on your pillow, remember you survived the day and the sun will rise again tomorrow."
"Don't worry honey, I want to get home too! We will get to Atlanta tonight." - Southwest Flight Attendant