I’ve been asking questions for as long as I can remember. The kind that start with “why” and don’t stop at the first answer. I’ve always wanted to understand how things work, how decisions are made, and how everything fits into the bigger picture. An engineer by training, I arrived in communications after time in Operations, R&D, IT, and Marketing. That path helps me understand how different parts of a business think.

I spent 27 years in a rapidly growing company. As the business grew, communication didn’t naturally keep pace. Quick conversations, informal updates, and catching people in the hallway weren’t enough to keep everyone moving in the same direction. People were telling us they didn’t understand where the company was going, why we needed to change, or what it meant for them.

I kept coming back to the same question. Why aren’t we just explaining this to people? Eventually, it became my job to do just that.

For nearly 15 years, I built and led the communication function for a growing division of a Fortune 500 company. During that time, our business tripled in size, acquired over a dozen companies, and went through multiple changes in structure and leadership. I was there while it was happening, working inside the business as it evolved. I developed the skill of simplifying complex information into clear, consistent language that people can understand and relate to.

That original question has stayed with me, and answering it is still the work I’m most drawn to.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. We make each other laugh every day.

I found my love of running after college when I started running to stay in shape. I love the camaraderie of the running community and the feeling I’ve done something good for myself when I’m done. My current streak is over five years long!

I love to read and rarely leave a bookstore empty-handed. I tend to walk in just to browse and leave with something I didn’t expect.

I’m also involved in my local community. I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Portage Community Center, South County Community Center, the Foundation Board for my alma mater, Western Michigan University, and the Women’s Advisory Board for Sleeping Giant Capital. I also enjoy mentoring students in several programs at WMU.

I’m a contributing author to Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Authenticity, a project that reflects something I care a lot about. Finding a way to be yourself in your work, especially as expectations change around you.

Why “Soundtrack”?

A soundtrack establishes the setting for a story. It paints a picture, sets the tone, and gives meaning to what’s happening. It can move things forward or slow them down, reflect where you’ve been, or hint at what’s coming next. Sometimes it supports the story. Sometimes it is the story.