About Me
A Journey of Leadership, Resilience, and Transformation
For over two decades, I have worked at the nexus of sustainability, social impact, and systems change, building bridges between farming communities, the private sector, global networks and fair markets. My professional path has taken me across the world—from the highlands of Guatemala to boardrooms of multinational corporations—always centered on a mission to empower people, protect and restore biodiversity, and drive meaningful transformation.
My career began in agriculture and conservation,
first as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, as an organic farmer in Western Washington state, and later leading organizations that connected smallholder farmers to global markets in a way that honored indigenous knowledge, their cultures and the landscapes they steward. I’ve helmed a pioneering fairtrade and organic spice & coffee trading company and international NGOs, managed multi-million-dollar sustainability programs, and led high-performing, multicultural teams across Latin America, co-designing large-scale programs focused on regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, and social, economic and climate justice.
Throughout my career,
I have also mentored and coached professionals navigating transitions, uncertainty, and leadership challenges. Whether guiding emerging leaders, supporting mission-driven professionals, or fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, I’ve seen firsthand how important clarity, resilience, and intentional action are in times of change. This realization led me to found Resilience Rising, my practice dedicated to helping individuals and organizations navigate uncertainty, redefine leadership, and move forward with confidence.
Mission
Resilience Rising empowers those at the frontlines of climate, food, and justice movements to sustain their full potential, lead with authenticity, agency, joy and passion, and drive meaningful systems change.
I help leaders and changemakers reframe challenges, rediscover their strengths, and reimagine their future in an ever-changing world. I believe that, just as landscapes can regenerate, so can people—gaining the clarity and resilience needed to thrive in uncertain times.
If you’re at a crossroads, wondering what’s next,
let’s figure it out together.
My Coaching Philosophy
My coaching philosophy is grounded in the principles of regeneration and wholeness. I view each person as an interconnected being—mind, body, heart, and spirit—living within broader social, organizational, and ecological systems. Rooted in both holistic and regenerative approaches, my work invites clients to move beyond performance-based goals and explore the deeper questions of how they want to live, lead, and contribute to a more life-affirming world. I support individuals and mission-driven leaders in reconnecting with their purpose, aligning their actions with their values, and cultivating the clarity, resilience, and stewardship needed to thrive—personally and collectively.
My coaching practice is:
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Service-oriented
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Trauma-informed
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Climate-conscious
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Somatically aware
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Deeply committed to DEI principles and practices
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Culturally humble & respectful
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Rooted in loving-kindness
Coaching, for me, is not just about navigating change, but about transforming how we relate to ourselves, each other, and the world around us.
Holistic coaching
Holistic Coaching is a transformative approach that sees individuals as whole, interconnected beings—mind, body, heart, and spirit—recognizing that personal and professional challenges are rarely isolated. Rooted in the philosophy of interconnectedness, it invites clients to explore the full landscape of their lives, fostering self-awareness, resilience, and alignment between values and action. Rather than focusing solely on performance, holistic coaching supports meaningful reflection and grounded decision-making, helping people navigate change with clarity, presence, and a deeper sense of purpose within the larger systems they inhabit.
Regenerative coaching
Regenerative coaching is a nature-inspired approach that goes beyond traditional models by focusing not only on personal growth, but on restoring balance, vitality, and sustainability within the broader systems we inhabit—personal, organizational, and ecological. Rooted in principles of cyclical growth and interdependence, it helps individuals and leaders deepen their connection to self, community, and planet while aligning their actions with life-affirming values. Rather than centering only on performance, regenerative coaching invites reflection on how we live, lead, and contribute to thriving systems, fostering resilience, purpose, and stewardship in both our inner and outer worlds.
We write this statement in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It is noteworthy how swiftly people have changed their behaviours in response to the pandemic, how they have come together to collaborate, share resources and do what needs to be done in the face of danger. This response provides many clues and possibilities for useful actions as we face the ongoing greater threats to our climate and ecology which equally provides us with a landscape of learning.