“I never saw it coming”

Hello,

When people ask how I went from working at my dad’s corner drugstore to becoming one of the first Chief Innovation Officers and now a Columbia University instructor, my answer is simple:

“I never saw it coming.”

My path hasn’t been linear. Neither is the world we’re leading in today.

Back behind that pharmacy counter as a teenager, I didn’t yet realize how deeply the experience of serving people’s real-time needs would influence my business approach — or how critical that clarity would become in today’s environment of constant uncertainty. 

I haven’t followed the conventional route. And in a world where old playbooks no longer apply, that’s become my superpower — and the focus of my work with leaders and organizations today.

Please read on to learn how I’m helping leaders adopt AI in two essential ways, strengthen their critical thinking and turn it into action, and more.

Set These Two AI Goals Now

The real risk when it comes to AI? Opting out of the conversation.

Engaging with AI is no longer optional for business leaders. Relevance, influence, and impact all hinge on your ability to do two things well:

1. Build personal fluency. You don’t need to be an AI expert — but you do need to get comfortable enough to ask smart questions and spot what others miss.
2. Master translation. The leaders making the biggest difference right now are the ones who can connect tech potential with human need — and get others on board.

I unpack both of these in a recent video — watch it here for practical insights on how to keep pace with change and lead with confidence.

Transform Your Team’s Critical Thinking into Action

I recently spent the day leading a critical thinking workshop for a group of mid-level managers — and watching how quickly they turned new frameworks into decisions and action.

What makes my approach different?

As a practitioner, not a traditional instructor, I draw on my years as one of the first Chief Innovation Officers and digital executives to help others navigate complex challenges with clarity and confidence.

I bring my battle-tested C-suite experience to every workshop by:

• Going beyond one-off tools to teach integrated systems that improve on-the-job decision-making.
• Helping leaders uncover hidden assumptions, evaluate customer impacts, and develop playbooks that bridge organizational gaps.
• Translating abstract concepts into actionable strategies rooted in real-world demands.

My goal is simple and powerful: to help leaders connect what’s possible with what will actually work — and give them the frameworks to scale that insight.

Looking to strengthen your team’s critical thinking or other core skills for leaders? Let’s talk.

As we see in new ways each day, the ability to thrive in uncertainty isn’t a bonus skill — it’s the requirement.

Through my Strategic Advocacy methodology, I help leaders drive change in complex systems, even when resistance is high and clarity is low. 

When you build the right skills, connections, and mindset, you can navigate — and even lead — through uncertainty.

How are you helping your organization create much-needed change amid uncertainty? Send me an email — I’d be happy to guide you through the process I’ve developed, and share how clients are introducing it in keynote presentations and workshops. 

Warm regards,