My Story
From Listening to My Mother Give Advice Over the Kitchen Counter to Guiding Silicon Valley's Elite in the Boardroom
As the youngest of eight siblings, I was always listening, always learning. My mom was like the neighborhood's go-to person for advice long before being a coach was a thing. Neighbors, friends, and sometimes folks I barely knew would pop by, bringing stories of work troubles, friendship dramas, and big life decisions, seeking her wisdom over a cup of tea or sometimes just passing by our always-open door. I sat there, soaking it all up like a sponge.
After college, equipped with a BA and MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a keen eye for business thanks to my entrepreneurial brother, I dove headfirst into the corporate world.
Fast-forward through the years, and my curiosity about people's stories and knack for listening shaped my career.
I quickly discovered that the corporate space, with its shiny surfaces and fancy titles, wasn't much different from my mom’s kitchen.
Instead of neighbors with burnt eggrolls, I had executives with burning-out teams. They pointed fingers at everything but the mirror—blaming missed deadlines on teams that "just don't get it" or big internal company shifts that created ambiguity and uncertainty.
As I watched these high-flyers, I realized that beneath the power suits and titles, they were often as lost as anyone else, struggling with the same feelings of inadequacy and fear that anyone does when faced with challenges they can't seem to control.
They were dealing with teams in conflict, projects derailing, and the constant battle of staying ahead in a game that never seemed to pause for breath.
Drawing parallels to those kitchen counter confessions, I saw the cycle of blame and stress spinning endlessly. And just like back then, I wondered, what if the answer isn’t in running faster or pushing harder but looking inward and finding calm in the chaos?
The real test came when I had to apply this lesson to my own life.
As a working mom in a demanding role, juggling deadlines and dance practice, I projected calmness like a pro. But inside, I was a hot mess—always one step away from tipping over.
While I have been endowed with titles like “Calmest Leader Ever” and “Zen Master” by colleagues and friends, I suddenly felt lost and trapped in an anxious roller coaster that eventually led to burnout. I experienced brain fog, blackouts, unexplained body aches, emotional exhaustion, and cynicism. I even lost patience with people, didn’t feel any satisfaction from getting things done (unusual for a super high achiever), and had to drag myself to work every day.
On the surface, everything seemed perfectly in place. I had a rewarding job and an enviable paycheck, yet a void lingered, a whisper of something more.
Stepping into my newfound purpose, I embraced the principles I had long championed, weaving balance and intention into the fabric of my life and the lives of those I touched. I founded The Growth Ally, which quickly became a sanctuary where leaders learned to lead with authenticity, empathy, and calm that radiates, transforming workplaces into environments where growth, innovation, and well-being coexist.
I discovered not a blueprint but a core way of being for executives who feel stuck in the whirlwind of leadership and life and wonder how to make it all work without losing themselves in the process.
I coined the Calm and Sense Leadership concept, a dual approach that cultivates calm while enhancing our sense of self. Calmness allows for composed decision-making amidst chaos, while a developed sense of self—understanding one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors—enables leaders to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics effectively.
My 25+ year career has taken me through the halls of industry giants like Nvidia, Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, Marvell, Applied Materials, Intel, AMD, and Boeing.
I work with these visionaries behind closed doors, sharpening their focus, amplifying their impact, and allowing them to emerge as beacons of calm and sense in the frenetic world of Silicon Valley.
The greatest leaders aren't those who lead the charge into every battle; they're the ones who know when to pause, breathe, and guide their teams through the storm with a steady hand and a calm heart.
