About the Founder
To learn more about my story, read this interview with Expat Focus, this online article in Fortune Magazine or watch the video on the right (1:54) of my CNN interview discussing how I help expats build international careers.
Who I Work With
I work best with innovative, forward-thinking expats struggling to clarify and communicate their unique value and build a fulfilling career abroad. These global minded professionals, executives and consultants are ready to dig deep to unearth their true strengths and use this Brand DNA to drive their career and business choices. Truly committed, they're eager to learn and ready to invest the time and energy to manage their careers and grow as leaders on an ongoing basis. They're keen to unleash the power of their ideas and passion to create change in their organizations and the world.
My clients work for Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson and Cisco, as well as embassies, international organizations and the United Nations. I've supported clients in the following industries:
• Technology, HR, Finance, Media, Tourism and Health and Wellness
• Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Medicine & Public Health
• Diplomacy, Foreign Service, International Development and Non-profits
I also work with global companies to empower their executives to meet objectives and grow as leaders on international assignment.
In addition I've worked with top European business schools like SDA Bocconi in Italy and top universities in the U.S. like Brown University to help their international MBA graduates and alumni to grow their careers at home and abroad.
My clients work for Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson and Cisco, as well as embassies, international organizations and the United Nations. I've supported clients in the following industries:
• Technology, HR, Finance, Media, Tourism and Health and Wellness
• Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Medicine & Public Health
• Diplomacy, Foreign Service, International Development and Non-profits
I also work with global companies to empower their executives to meet objectives and grow as leaders on international assignment.
In addition I've worked with top European business schools like SDA Bocconi in Italy and top universities in the U.S. like Brown University to help their international MBA graduates and alumni to grow their careers at home and abroad.
Credentials/Experience
I've worked across many sectors and industries - both profit and non-profit. I have worked in senior, managerial and director level roles as well as being a consultant and business owner. I've spent many years in international development - including having designed training programs for entrepreneurs from developing countries. I've provided long term, hands-on support to professionals and entrepreneurs as well as built my own portable business to support my global lifestyle.
I have 3 degrees, 7 certifications and am constantly learning about new tools and strategies to better support my clients. My credentials include:
- Certified Personal Branding Strategist - 1 of first 100 worldwide
- Certified Career Coach
- Certified Executive Coach
- Certified Online Identity Strategist – 1 of first 35 worldwide
- Certified 360 Personal Brand Assessment Analyst
- Certified Social Media Marketing Strategist - 1 of first 30 worldwide
- Masters Degree in Multimedia Design and Communications
- Bachelor Degrees in both International Relations and Semiotics
Expertise Recognition
As a specialist in expat careers, personal branding and online identity, I'm often featured in or asked to contribute to books such as:
- Storytelling about Your Brand Online & Offline
- Twitter Job Search Guide: Find a Job and Advance Your Career in 15 Minutes a Day
- Personal Branding for Dummies
- Should I Stay or Should I Go?: Truth About Moving Abroad & Whether it's Right for You
- A Career in my Suitcase
- A Broad Abroad: The Expat Wife's Guide to Successful Living Abroad
- Vado a Vivere all'Estero: Guida Pratica per Espatriati
- A four page feature in Fortune Magazine
- CNN Money
- Wall Street Journal Online
- Fox Business Online
- Italy Magazine
- The Telegraph
I've been selected as the International Job Search expert by one of the top job search sites according to Forbes and US News and World Report. And I'm the Expat Careers expert and columnist on Expat Focus, a top online resource for all aspects of expat life.
I've also been recognized for my expertise in careers and social media:
- Top 50 Personal Branding Consultants
- Top 30 Personal Branding Experts on Twitter
- 100 Personal Branding Experts To Follow on Twitter
- 100+ Career Blogs ALL Professionals MUST Read
- 9 Expat Blogs to Follow
- 20 Interesting Expats to Follow on Twitter
- 101 Best Job Search and Career Experts on Twitter
- Top 10 Facebook Fan Pages for Job Seekers and Career Minded Folk
- In over 370 lists on Twitter
My Story
My journey to becoming a global citizen, professional and business owner started early in life. Born in the U.S., books first introduced me to a world outside of my own and fueled a growing fascination with different cultures. I dreamt of following in the footsteps of my childhood hero Nancy Drew - traveling to Austria to save refugee children in Hungary or navigating the world of business and art in Japan.
Chronically curious even as a child, I watched every film with subtitles I could find to explore new worlds I dreamed of visiting. My first taste of life in another country inspired my pursuit of international travel and study abroad during high school and university. I attribute my two bachelor degrees in International Relations and Semiotics at Brown University - study of global economies and how meaning is created - to first setting me on the path towards helping others find meaningful work abroad.
What I loved most about one of my first jobs with USAID designing training for entrepreneurs from developing countries was learning about the challenges of growing businesses in difficult environments - and the solutions to overcome them. So many of the people with whom I worked - like a woman in Tanzania who built a cheese making business with minimal electricity or a Romanian advertising executive starting his firm just after the Iron Curtain fell - showed me again and again that we are capable of much more than we believe is possible. I drew strength from those stories when I was facing my own challenges - including building a fulfilling personal and professional life in new countries.
That experience of empowering entrepreneurs to realize their business goals was the start of a 20 year career in career, organizational and business development. I've worked with professionals and entrepreneurs in over 40 countries on 6 continents, and lived in 12 cities in 4 countries with short term assignments in Africa, Asia and Europe. I've worked in senior, managerial and director level roles as well as being a consultant and business owner. Although my focus on impacting change for growth and maximizing potential was always the same, the roles and cultures in which I worked provided new ways for me to stretch and grow.
Along the way I've pursued certifications in personal branding, executive coaching, career coaching, online identity management, social media marketing and assessments. I've also received a Masters Degree in Multimedia Communications which informs how I support my clients in building their online presence and global network. The passion for learning and creative problem solving talents which emerged when I was young and were further developed from early on in my career are still contributing factors to my success today.
I continue to support projects in developing countries by donating a percentage of my income to life saving programs worldwide fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Through Kiva.org I’m currently supporting a group in Peru to start a restaurant to serve traditional dishes to their community.
Chronically curious even as a child, I watched every film with subtitles I could find to explore new worlds I dreamed of visiting. My first taste of life in another country inspired my pursuit of international travel and study abroad during high school and university. I attribute my two bachelor degrees in International Relations and Semiotics at Brown University - study of global economies and how meaning is created - to first setting me on the path towards helping others find meaningful work abroad.
What I loved most about one of my first jobs with USAID designing training for entrepreneurs from developing countries was learning about the challenges of growing businesses in difficult environments - and the solutions to overcome them. So many of the people with whom I worked - like a woman in Tanzania who built a cheese making business with minimal electricity or a Romanian advertising executive starting his firm just after the Iron Curtain fell - showed me again and again that we are capable of much more than we believe is possible. I drew strength from those stories when I was facing my own challenges - including building a fulfilling personal and professional life in new countries.
That experience of empowering entrepreneurs to realize their business goals was the start of a 20 year career in career, organizational and business development. I've worked with professionals and entrepreneurs in over 40 countries on 6 continents, and lived in 12 cities in 4 countries with short term assignments in Africa, Asia and Europe. I've worked in senior, managerial and director level roles as well as being a consultant and business owner. Although my focus on impacting change for growth and maximizing potential was always the same, the roles and cultures in which I worked provided new ways for me to stretch and grow.
Along the way I've pursued certifications in personal branding, executive coaching, career coaching, online identity management, social media marketing and assessments. I've also received a Masters Degree in Multimedia Communications which informs how I support my clients in building their online presence and global network. The passion for learning and creative problem solving talents which emerged when I was young and were further developed from early on in my career are still contributing factors to my success today.
I continue to support projects in developing countries by donating a percentage of my income to life saving programs worldwide fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Through Kiva.org I’m currently supporting a group in Peru to start a restaurant to serve traditional dishes to their community.
To learn even more about my story, read this interview with Expat Focus, this online article in Fortune Magazine or watch the video on the right (1:54) of my CNN interview discussing how I help expats build international careers.
What next?
To learn how I can help you become a highly visible, sought-after expert or leader and build a career or business abroad, go to the Services and Solutions page or contact me to schedule an initial conversation.