I am a lifelong learner who spent the better part of a decade juggling multiple roles. VP in the wine industry. College professor. Radio DJ. Mama blogger. Business consultant. Leadership coach. Sometimes all at once.

What I eventually realized was this:

It was not sustainable long-term.
And more importantly, it wasn’t aligned with my true superpower.

My professional journey began as a marketing executive at a top winery in Napa Valley. It was an incredible experience and one I am deeply grateful for. But no matter what I was doing, marketing, sales, leadership development, or team strategy, the same inner voice kept nudging me.

My purpose was to teach.

So I listened. And I made a bold, intentional pivot away from corporate life to fully step into education. That decision gave me the space to become a more present professor, teaching business and entrepreneurship at the college level, while also volunteering in my children’s school, leading leadership workshops for elementary students.

And that is where everything clicked.

I saw firsthand how powerful it is to introduce the entrepreneurial mindset early. How confidence, resilience, problem-solving, and positive self-talk are not just business skills, they are life skills. I realized that kids are natural entrepreneurs. They just need the language, tools, and encouragement to trust themselves.

Today, my work lives at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and mindset.

I am the author of Gazill Hill, a children’s book about bravery, fear, and positive risk-taking. I lead interactive author visits and keynote workshops for schools and educators, focused on building confidence, leadership, and an entrepreneurial way of thinking in young learners. I also continue to teach business and marketing at Napa Valley College, where I design project-based courses that connect real-world skills with personal growth.

My work has been recognized with Napa Valley College’s Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, reflecting my commitment to innovative, student-centered learning and community impact.

At the core of everything I do is one belief:

Bravery is a skill. Mindset can be taught. And leadership starts much earlier than we think.