Co-founder reflections: from headlines to high-stakes change, my unlikely path to an MBA
We often talk about careers as if they are straight lines — neatly paved roads from Point A to Point B. But looking back at my journey, it feels more like a series of daring pivots and "happy accidents" that led me exactly where I needed to be.
The pivot into the unknown
My career didn't start in the world of global tech transformations or Identity & Access Management (IAM). I began in PR and Editorial, focusing on storytelling and messaging. But in 2018, everything shifted when I stepped into Change Management and IT Communications at Shell Oil.
I’ll be honest: I happened upon Change Management by chance. But once I was in it, I realized I didn't just like the work — I was good at it. I found my rhythm in the execution: the fast-paced, high-stakes reality of moving thousands of people toward a new way of working.
Building the track record
From Shell, the momentum didn't stop. I took those skills to ExxonMobil as a Change Advisor, then to Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) as a Lead for Change Communications. At Equinix, I managed global transformations, and eventually, I stepped into a Manager role at Deloitte.
Today, as a Transformation Program Manager at Intuit, I’m tackling some of the most complex challenges in Cybersecurity and Zero-Trust architecture. While execution has always been my superpower, I’m currently deep in honing my strategic leadership — learning not just how to run the race, but how to design the track.
The “full-time” juggle
If you look at my life right now, it’s a bit of a whirlwind.
I hold a full-time leadership role at Intuit.
I am a full-time MBA student at the University of Houston.
I balance leading Taylor Street alongside it all.
People often ask me, "Why now?" or "How are you doing it all?" The truth is, I’m doing it for the "next." I’m doing it for the opportunity this degree will provide for my family and the doors it will open that I haven't even seen yet.
It’s never too late to be a student.
If there is one thing I want to share with anyone reading this, it’s this: It is never too late to go back. It’s never too late to learn a new tool like Okta or Zscaler, to pivot from PR to Cybersecurity, or to walk back into a classroom as a seasoned professional. Learning something new is the only way to stay relevant in a world that never stops changing.
I am incredibly excited about what’s next. When I graduate, I won't just have a degree; I’ll have a new perspective. To my family, thank you for being the "why" behind the late-night study sessions and the long workdays. The best is yet to come.
