There’s something powerful about recognizing your own magic.
Not the kind that pulls rabbits out of hats, but the kind that’s been growing inside you since day one—the kind that shows up in how you lead, how you serve, and how you impact the lives around you. For me, that magic has always shown up in leadership.
But let me be honest: I didn’t always see it that way.
I grew up understanding the weight of responsibility early. I was the one people turned to. The one who listened deeply. The one who spoke up even when her voice trembled. I didn’t have a name for it at the time—I just knew that I was different. I was a leader before I ever had a title.
Over time, I started to see that leadership wasn’t just about being in front of the room. It was about being behind the scenes—lifting others up, creating space for people to thrive, and holding firm to values even when it wasn’t easy. It was about seeing potential before it bloomed, and sometimes being the one to water it.
The Journey to Here
Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats—storyteller, strategist, advocate, mentor. Each chapter has shaped the way I see leadership.
I’ve helped build institutions from the ground up, like launching a community college in Erie, Pennsylvania. I’ve helped reimagine how equity shows up in organizations. I’ve sat at tables where my voice was the only one of its kind, and I’ve used that voice to push for more inclusive, more courageous conversations.
And while each of those roles had different challenges and titles, there was always one through-line: I led with heart.
Not ego. Not fear. Heart.
Because here’s the truth: my magic is rooted in my ability to lead with authenticity.
I don’t believe leadership is about hierarchy. I believe it’s about humanity. And my gift—the one that’s been with me all along—is my ability to help people see what’s possible. For themselves. For their communities. For their future.
Leadership Is My Magic
Magic, to me, is that intangible thing that makes you you. It’s your presence. Your purpose. Your perspective. And for me, it’s the way I show up for others and help them believe in themselves.
It’s in the way I walk into a room and can immediately sense the energy—and shift it when needed.
It’s in the way I connect dots, tell stories, and make people feel seen.
It’s in the way I push for excellence, not just for myself, but for everyone around me.
And yes, it’s in the way I can speak vision into existence—and then build the strategy to back it up.
That’s not luck. That’s not coincidence. That’s my magic. That’s my leadership.
A Message to Aspiring Leaders
If you’re reading this and wondering where your magic is—let me say this: it’s already in you.
You don’t need a certain title, a certain platform, or a certain number of followers to be a leader. You just need to be willing to show up with intention. You need to be willing to grow. And you need to believe that the very things that make you different are the things that make you powerful.
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest in the room. It’s about being clear on your purpose and unapologetic in your values.
Believe in your voice. Believe in your calling. Believe in your magic.
What I Know For Sure
I’ve spent the better part of my life helping others rise, and I’ve learned that leadership is less about control and more about connection. It’s less about being perfect and more about being present. The strongest leaders I know aren’t the ones who never fall—they’re the ones who rise with grace and pull others up with them.
So I’ll keep leading, keep building, keep showing up. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s what I was born to do. My magic was never meant to stay small—and neither is yours.
This is your reminder: your gift isn’t random. It’s divine. It’s necessary. It’s you. Believe in your magic—and lead from it.