Directors are asked to do the impossible. Build trust. Inspire teams. Navigate conflict. Prevent burnout. Plan for everything. Change the world.
As a nonprofit veteran of 20 years, at first I noticed what everyone else could see. Teams with cliques. Difficult communication. The Gossip. Burnout and turnover.
But over time, I began to notice something deeper.
But the longer I worked alongside executive directors, the more I realized I had been looking at the leaves instead of the roots.
And I began to see what no one else saw.
Extraordinary leaders quietly carry more than anyone realizes. They question whether they are enough, replay difficult conversations late into the evening, cancel vacations, keep showing up for everyone else while wondering how much longer they can keep going.
That’s when I realized the greatest need wasn’t simply getting the right people in the right seats. It was cultivating a healthier organization. And where do healthy organizations start? At the top.
The success of a mission starts on the inside – with the leadership.
That’s the birth of The Trust Gardener™ Method.
The Trust Gardener™ helps cultivate leaders, teams, and organizations to increase Strength, Capacity, Steadiness, and Adaptability.
I believe…
- Trust is cultivated through brave, honest action.
- Confidence grows when you embrace your unique strengths.
- Leadership is learned through self-awareness, mentorship, and practice.
- Psychological safety matters because people matter.
- Wellness is a daily practice of caring for ourselves while we care for others.
- Emotions carry wisdom in an overthinking world.
- Flourishing missions begin with flourishing people.
- Mission-Driven Leaders deserve Joy for all we give and do 🤩
I partner with mission-driven, higher education, healthcare, aging care, and non-profit organizations to cultivate healthier leaders, teams, and missions.
- Nearly 20 years serving nonprofit organizations
- Helped raise millions for community causes
- Facilitated 150+ leadership workshops
- Coached and Inspired hundreds of leaders
- Certified in Emotional Intelligence Coaching, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Essential Workplace Skills, and Psychological Safety
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When I’m not helping create healthier leaders and teams, you’ll probably find me swimming, baking chocolate chip cookies, writing my next book, or hanging with my family. (pictured, before our holiday tradition of picking up trash in local parks ♻️ 🎄)
Let’s Cultivate Something Meaningful Together.
If you are ready to follow your True North, Discover your Authentic Leadership, then let’s chat.
More about me…
- ENFJ “The Teacher”, Meyers Briggs MBTI
- Catalyst (Passion + Innovation) on the Fascination Scale
- Si (Steadiness + Influence) on the DISC
- Enneagram SO 2W3 (The Hostess)
- Highly Sensitive
- Emotional Intelligence 90+ (out of 100) in all domains
- Human Design 4/6 Reflector
- Leo-Sun / Scorpio-Moon / Capricorn-Rising (Generous and Welcoming, See Hidden Issues, Diligent and steady towards long-term goals)
- My 5 Clifton Strengths: Empathy, Strategic, Connectedness, Positivity, and Communication
