I’m passionate about going against the grain. Being different is the only way to stand out – in life and in business. Convincing others to step outside their comfort zones isn’t easy, but I’ve found it to be an exciting and rewarding career path. Yes, some days I get in trouble for being outside the box. But the flip side is that I also get to be one of the few who can truly say that I love what I do. From ditching traditional education models and bringing business alive in my college classes to encouraging business leaders to imagine the impossible, I’ve learned how to turn chaos into opportunity, always think strategically, and never give up on the underdog.
Since 2013, I’ve been self-employed as a management and marketing consultant at Fitt Talent, a consulting firm focused on helping businesses in smaller towns and rural areas take on talent management challenges. When not traveling throughout the Mid-Atlantic meeting with clients, you’ll find me in the classroom – I currently teach businesses courses at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and online for Southern New Hampshire University.
Like many people, my professional journey has been full of unexpected twists and turns, but there’s not one thing I would change about it. When I was young, I wanted to be a journalist. That led me to Penn State University’s College of Communications, followed by a brief stint as a copy editor for the nation’s largest newspaper publisher. The communication skills I built in those environments were very valuable when I decided to go back to school and study business. What followed was a nearly decade-long journey working in higher education administration, beginning with overseeing the startup of a human resources marketing office at Penn State University, rebranding a small community college in the Adirondacks, and directing centralized enrollment marketing for the 64-campus State University of New York system.
When not working directly with clients, I try to meet new people by participating in professional and community groups and organizations. I currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Centre Area Transportation Authority, the third-largest public transit system in Pennsylvania. I’m also on the board of the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and previously sat on the board of the New York Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association. I’m also a member of the Patton Township Business Association, Central Pennsylvania Creative Professionals, and Saint Francis University Alumni Association.
For me, “home” is State College, Pennsylvania, a classic college town affectionately nicknamed Happy Valley. If your travels ever bring you near the intersection of Interstates 80 and 99, track me down and I’ll be happy to give you a quick tour or meet up for a seasonal beer at Otto’s, a slice of Margarita’s pizza, or some world-famous Penn State ice cream (it’s where Ben & Jerry learned to make ice cream).