I grew up in New Jersey in the 80s (the heavy metal big hair days), went to college, and left for California as soon as I could, to go to graduate school in Los Angeles.
I became a social worker because I believe in social justice, acting for individual and collective empowerment, and the inherent abilities of people and communities. Most of my career has been spent working for the City of Santa Monica, where I’ve been fortunate to be able to apply a social work philosophy within a progressive organization and community.
In 2016, while working with a coach, I identified living in a house outside of LA, a place with trees and outdoor space, as a long-term goal. In the fall of 2020, my husband and I took a risk and moved away from Los Angeles. We moved to Ojai, a valley 70 miles north of Los Angeles that is surrounded by mountains and forests and along a river. It’s been inhabited by native people for centuries, a mecca for spiritual seekers, farmers, and equestrians, and a place where old-school California hippies still exist, alongside a lot of LA transplants. As I work from behind a large window, I watch birds at the bird feeder, bees pollinating lavender, gaze at mountains and trees, and walk into my backyard and visit with hundred year-old oak trees. I can hike before work, my husband can surf, and we can grow old here. It was our dream to live in Ojai, and it happened far earlier than we thought possible.
In an effort to grow, I completed the Co-Active Training Institute’s Coach Training and Certification Program. Coaching has deepened my understanding of myself and how I can be of service.
My focus is on working with people who wish to gain clarity and confidence so they accomplish more of what matters in their careers and lives through discovering values, tapping into strengths, creating intentions, and taking small steps to succeed and grow.
Growth is a constant process. By reflecting on an experience, celebrating the effort, asking what was most significant or useful, and identifying new insights, practices, and possible applications, we progress along our journeys.
The next time you do something, ask yourself what was most useful? What am I taking away? Your answers will guide you to continue to accomplish more of what matters.
