My Story

I started far from HQ, in junior roles. I worked and lived in seven cities across four countries. I had a great career that took me to global CFO in Fortune 500 companies.

Then I decided to focus on my longtime passion- helping others grow to also get there. That meant stepping down. So I did.

Many thought I was nuts, but I didn’t care- I wanted to feel inspired and felt I had a different purpose to pursue.

Five statements summarize my journey.

"Be the best you can. Always. Never give less than your very best effort."

Those words marked me.

My dad spoke them when he saw my mediocrity in high school. The advice took time to bloom. I went to college and worked just hard enough to coast along.

All through this, my mom kept faith. She knew I would come around.

"Let’s go help. We’ll find a way, no matter what."

A massive earthquake hit Mexico City in 1985. Walls cracking, and the knowledge that somewhere downtown people were trapped under the rubble shook me to my core. I organized student teams to help rescue them.

All we knew was we needed to go help, even if we didn't know how. A couple of times we could not get to the victims.

I remember the crippling powerlessness, but mostly the amazing teamwork, the strength of serving others and working for a common purpose bigger than us.

That marked me too.

"You can do this!"

I finally heeded my dad’s advice. I worked hard, failed often, got up, tried again. I kept at it, learned from this, and my career took off... but after some time, it seemed to stall. I was neck-deep in debt. The economy was crumbling. I felt trapped.

My wife looked into my eyes and said, “you got this… you can do this”.

I remembered my Mom, with her unwavering faith in me. I got up, dusted off, kept going. That opened doors.

I was given the chance to lead Finance at the world's largest pharma company. I led a large integration of another enterprise, rebuilt the function, finished my MBA at the top of the class.

Along the way I learned things I wish someone had told me. I grew to run Finance at the country, regional, and then global levels.

"It's a girl!!! (that makes 2!)"

We moved to Spain. We had our second daughter there. My life was whole.

I kept learning, working hard, underestimating what I could do, screwing up in what I thought were fatal ways... but learning from my mistakes (and wishing for someone who had made the journey to help me).

I ran Finance regionally in Europe, helped restructure and turn the business around, and got a massive promotion to corporate HQ in New York for my first global CFO role.

Different culture, priorities, ways of playing the game… but I made it, helping lead the biggest business in the company and participating in creating growth through organic and inorganic strategies that I only read about when I started out.

I moved as CFO to other firms and industries. My career was flying.

"Do what really makes you happy and enriches your life!"

This is what my Dad told me the last time we were together. These words have always been a beacon for me. They have kept echoing in my mind and never left me. I worked harder than ever, interacting with CEO, Board, and others. I got to the top of Finance. I served great teams, helping some stars in them grow to CFO and beyond.

And that was probably the most enriching part of my career.

All that work paid off- so I finally shifted focus to a new dream.

Corporate jobs are great and I feel so blessed for my career I built. I am very grateful that now thanks to it, I can now move to the next phase and focus on what really fills my soul. I had the need to create something to do just that.

So, I am here now, with you.

I got as far as I did because someone believed in me at some point. I have always tried to give back by developing my team, sharing my experience, helping them grow. Seeing their careers take off to the highest levels has been incredibly inspiring. I want to offer you my experience, hoping it will help you too.

This is my “why”. I'm convinced you can become what you’re meant to be. I have decades of experience. I have been there. I have done that. I'd be happy to help.