The Courage Behind the Calling: An Extended Interview

There are moments in life that invite us to pause, not because we've arrived, but because they remind us how far we've come.

I am incredibly grateful to Phoenix Women's Rising, a University of Phoenix Employee Resource Group, for inviting me to be featured in this month's spotlight. It was an honor to share pieces of my personal and professional journey alongside a community committed to elevating the voices and experiences of women.

While the published feature offered a glimpse into my story, our conversation covered much more than could fit within the article. We explored the experiences that shaped my leadership, the lessons I've learned through seasons of transition and uncertainty, the principles that guide my work, and why I believe courage is less about fearlessness and more about living in alignment with our values.

Throughout this interview, you'll read about the risks that built my confidence, the prayer that transformed the direction of my life, the importance of emotional intelligence and self-leadership, and the legacy I hope to leave by helping others discover the courage to become who they were created to be.

Whether you've followed my journey for years or are just getting to know me, I hope these reflections encourage you to pause, consider your own story, and recognize that the challenges you've faced may be preparing you for your greatest contribution.

Thank you again to Phoenix Women's Rising for this opportunity, and thank you for taking the time to read the extended conversation. I hope it encourages you to lead with greater courage, deeper alignment, and renewed purpose.

Let's begin.

A word that describes your current season of life?

Alignment. After years of building, learning, and stretching, I'm more intentional about ensuring my values, voice, and work all move in the same direction.

One thing you can't start your day without?

Quiet reflection. Whether through prayer, journaling, or simply creating space to think, it reminds me that who I am is more important than everything I have to do.

What story from your life best explains who you are?

I've spent much of my life being "the first." I was the first in my family to graduate from college, the first to pursue opportunities that required me to step into unfamiliar spaces, and often the first to believe that something different was possible. Those experiences taught me that courage comes before confidence. Every risk I took stretched me beyond what felt comfortable, and confidence became the byproduct of consistently choosing courage over certainty.

That lesson was deepened in April 2020 during the pandemic, when one simple prayer changed the trajectory of my life. I asked God to help me become who I was created to be, and that prayer launched what I now call my Go Brave journey by embracing Growth, Optimism, Boldness, Resilience, Authenticity, Virtue, and Empowerment as daily principles rather than aspirational words.

Over the past several years, I've navigated two cross-country moves, relational loss, financial hardship, and significant life transitions, all while building my career in higher education and developing the work that would eventually become my books. Looking back, I realize my story has never been about avoiding difficult seasons. It has been about discovering that every transition was preparing me for my true calling. Today, as a Courage Cultivator, I help others recognize what I had to learn for myself: courage isn't the absence of fear. It is the unwavering commitment to move forward in alignment with your values despite it. My life's work is simply an invitation for others to Go Brave.

What do people misunderstand most about leadership?

Many people think leadership is about position or influence, when it's really about responsibility and stewardship. Leadership begins long before anyone follows you. It starts with how well you lead yourself.

What challenge are you currently growing through?

I'm learning to honor capacity without confusing it with limitation. Growth has required me to release the belief that I have to do everything myself to make a meaningful impact.

What keeps you motivated when progress feels slow?

I remind myself that meaningful transformation is rarely immediate. I focus on becoming the person capable of sustaining the impact I'm working toward rather than chasing quick results.

How do you handle self-doubt or uncertainty when facing a major decision?

I return to my values before I respond to my emotions because emotions are valuable, but they aren't always reliable decision-makers. I've learned that clarity often comes not from having every answer but from remembering who I am and what I'm anchored to.

As someone who writes and teaches about courageous leadership, I believe I must practice what I preach. In my book Soul Work, I share five strategies for disrupting self-sabotage, and they have become the framework I rely on whenever uncertainty shows up. I begin by ensuring my decisions remain aligned with my values instead of my fears. I intentionally create space for joy so I don't allow discouragement to shape my perspective. I make decisions with courage rather than postponing them in search of perfect certainty. I revisit the vision that first called me forward when distractions or setbacks tempt me to lose focus. Finally, I embrace ownership and accountability by reminding myself that I am responsible for the choices I make and the life I create. These practices don't eliminate self-doubt, but they keep self-doubt from making my decisions for me.

What does resilience look like in practice for you?

Resilience isn't pretending everything is okay. It's choosing to move forward with honesty, wisdom, and courage despite uncertainty. It means giving myself permission to rest, learning from setbacks instead of being defined by them, and remaining anchored in purpose when circumstances change.

I also believe resilience begins before adversity arrives. Since change is inevitable, I intentionally prepare for it through what I call the READY framework. READY stands for Release the old, Embrace the new, Affirm truth, Discipline yourself to remain consistent, and Yield to reflection. I have always loved acronyms and alliterations because they transform meaningful ideas into memorable practices. For me, resilience is less about surviving difficult seasons and more about preparing my heart and mind to navigate change with intention before it arrives.

What cause or issue are you most passionate about and why?

I'm passionate about helping people, especially those in helping professions, lead without losing themselves. We can't build healthy communities if the people carrying them are consistently operating from burnout instead of wholeness.

I believe emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and courage are essential skills for anyone who serves others. When we help leaders become healthier from the inside out, the impact extends far beyond the individual. It transforms workplaces, families, organizations, and communities.

What principle are you unwilling to compromise on as a leader?

Integrity is non-negotiable because I believe leadership is measured by consistency more than visibility. I want my decisions, relationships, and influence to reflect the same values whether I'm speaking on a stage, leading a meeting, or serving quietly behind the scenes.

That commitment is reflected in the principles I strive to live every day through Go Brave. I pursue continual Growth, choose Optimism even in uncertainty, lead with Boldness, strengthen my Resilience, remain Authentic, practice Virtue, and use every opportunity to Empower others. If my leadership doesn't help someone else believe they can grow into who they're called to become, then I've missed the point.

What does success mean to you today compared to ten years ago?

Ten years ago, success looked like achievement and opportunity. Today, success means living in alignment, creating lasting impact, and helping others find the courage to become who they were created to be.

I've realized that success isn't measured by how much I accomplish but by how faithfully I steward the gifts, opportunities, and relationships I've been entrusted with. If the work I do helps someone live with greater courage, purpose, and authenticity, then I consider that success.

How do you stay connected to your purpose when things become busy or stressful?

I intentionally create moments to pause and reflect because busyness can easily disconnect us from what matters most. My purpose becomes clearer when I slow down enough to listen instead of simply reacting.

I've learned that rest isn't a reward for finishing the work. It's a responsibility that allows me to do the work well. Reflection helps me remember that my identity isn't found in my productivity but in remaining aligned with the purpose I've been called to fulfill.

What is one way women can support each other more effectively in the workplace and community?

By creating spaces where authenticity is valued more than competition. We don't just need more seats at the table. We need women who intentionally hold the door open for others once they're seated.

Support also looks like offering encouragement before someone has fully arrived and providing honest, constructive feedback that helps them continue growing. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give another woman isn't simply celebrating her success. It's believing in her potential enough to challenge, champion, and remind her of what she's capable of becoming.

What gives you hope for the next generation of women leaders?

I'm encouraged by their willingness to challenge outdated definitions of leadership and embrace authenticity alongside excellence. They're proving that strength and empathy are not competing qualities but complementary ones.

I'm equally inspired by how many young women are learning to advocate for themselves, ask for what they need, establish healthy boundaries, and redefine success on their own terms. Their confidence to use their voice while remaining connected to their values gives me tremendous hope for the future of leadership.

What are you still aspiring to become?

I'm aspiring to become the kind of leader whose presence gives others permission to become more fully themselves. More than building a successful career, I want to leave a legacy of courage, belonging, and meaningful impact.

I hope people remember me not only for what I accomplished, but for how I helped them see what was possible within themselves. If my work encourages someone to choose courage over comfort, lead with integrity, and use their voice to create meaningful change, then I'll know I lived my purpose well.