It was January 2022, in Costa Rica and my eleven-year-old daughter and I went to the beach. I was playing on a surf board catching waves after they broke and my daughter was in the water cheering me on. This went on wave after wave. Then I looked over and my daughter was gone. I looked out into the ocean and saw the head of a person, and knew it was her. She was pulled out by a rip tide. With the size of the waves, I knew I couldn’t save her. I thought, how can I leave this country without my child. Will I ever have her body for closure.

I called out to God saying, “Please don’t take her.” A man who I will never forget showed up. He came right to my side wearing a black short sleeve swim shirt, white swim trunks and carrying his surf board. My daughter’s head was no longer above water. I kept praying and talking to her like she could hear me. I said, “Don’t panic. Keep going. Come on, you can do this.” Then her head came back above water. The man by me went out on his surf board and brought her to safety into my arms. When I told the man thank you, he didn’t speak back. He hadn’t spoken to me once. I never heard his voice. He ran away, and I noticed his feet didn’t touch the ground. As he ran into the water towards the horizon, and he faded away. An angel showed up and saved my daughter and our family.  

As a corporate executive at a Fortune 15 company for nearly two decades, I was in a meaningful job at an amazing company, Cargill. I had worked so hard to overcome life challenges and reach such career success. As the primary provider for our family with four children, things were comfortable and predictable.

And yet, I had a yearning to serve more of the world. A feeling of void, like there was somewhere else I was meant to be. Someone else I was meant to become.

The life altering experience of nearly losing a child was an awakening that shook me to the core. It grounded me on what really matters and purposeful work I am meant to do in this world. I found the clarity and courage to leave a career at a one of the largest companies in the world to launch WaveLeader Consulting & Coaching to serve more organizations, leaders and teams.

I am here to guide leaders and teams through some of their greatest challenges. Reaching new heights by getting clear on what matters and the leadership legacy they want to leave. Together, we build confidence, capability and a roadmap to inclusively lead with heart, connect with the head and move the feet.

What I know is, the effect of this work translates to: tangible business growth, innovation, increased customer focus, engaged employees, and a positive impact on people, families and communities.

I invite you to come on the WaveLeader journey and thrive by leading through adversity, change and the unknown; creating a ripple effect inspired by purpose, impact and people.