I am a Colorado native and the youngest of five children. Both of my parents had disabilities. My mother lost her hearing from whooping cough when she was a baby, and my father became paralyzed in both legs from a spinal tumor in his early twenties. We were also one of the few Jewish families in our mostly non-Jewish, white, middle-class neighborhood. Growing up in this environment made me feel different from others, but it also helped me develop a deep respect and curiosity for different perspectives and ways of life.

My professional approach centers on the understanding that meaningful connections between people form the foundation of healthy communities and organizations. This perspective is deeply informed by the research of Dr. Riane Eisler, an internationally recognized social scientist whose cross-cultural studies have identified the "Domination-Partnership continuum" - a framework for understanding how societies organize themselves. Research supports that our fundamental need for connection and belonging drives much of human behavior, and a society's position on Eisler's continuum directly influences the power dynamics and relationships that either foster or hinder these essential connections across all social structures.

To build the authentic connections that strengthen communities and organizations, people must first feel psychologically safe with one another. This safety emerges most naturally within partnership-based environments where power is shared, diversity and human rights are valued, gender equality is practiced, and cultural narratives promote empathy and collaboration. My methodology therefore focuses on helping businesses, organizations, and communities move toward partnership-oriented approaches that create the psychological safety necessary for meaningful human connection to flourish.