Home: New Jersey, USA. Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain. Profession: Leadership coach. Organization: Manager on Call. Title: Founder and CEO. Significant other: They say in New York that you are always looking for one of three things: an apartment, a job or love. I came over twenty years ago looking for a job, and found love on week two, with Ciro, my husband. Languages spoken: Fluent in Spanish, English and Catalan. Conversational in Albanian and French.
Current project: Super excited to be soon launching the Manager on Call Academy, an online platform for managers offering courses and resources focused on leading with confidence. Recent recognition: Recent feedback from a client attending a leadership group coaching session with me: “Exceptional! Have been attending these sessions for years and, with you, I actually learned something. Thank you!”. Latest accomplishment: Impacting people’s lives for the better from behind-the-scenes. Just finished helping redesign an organization’s policies. Latest contribution to others: Lots of employees are about to get way more vacation time. You’re welcome! What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Leaving the security of a corporate leadership role to start my own business six years ago, to do what I’m best at, helping to transform bosses into leaders. 1,000+ leaders and counting! Hobbies: Spending time with my kids (teens). Last book read: Find Your Zone of Genius, by Laura Garnett; The First Survivors of Alzheimer’s, by Dale E. Bredesen, MD.
What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Passionate. Moral compass: What would my mother do, say or act like in this situation? What natural talent have you neglected? None that I know of! I keep trying to find new ones, but I think I’m maxed out on talents. I’m really good at crocheting, though! What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Beach, sun, family. What is your go-to workout? Jogging and swimming.
What’s featured prominently on your home or office wall? Annual goals. Monthly commitments. Quotes. Pictures of my kids at their tenth birthday. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My mother, my role model and angel. What is the best advice you received growing up? My father was full of great advice: “Don’t look for shortcuts in life.” “You lose your rights when you don’t speak right” (meaning respectfully). “Computers and English are the future” (we had an electric typewriter at that time!). What is your go-to source of news and information? The Today Show; The Morning Brew newsletter; CNN. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11. I was at the World Trade Center on 9 am on September 10. The prism through which I viewed life changed just twenty-four hours later and forever.
Creating standards for management and leadership.
What change would you like to see in the world? Leaders being held accountable to the same standards as any other employee at any company, not less. Controls and balances in place so power cannot be abused without consequences. What mega-trend most excites you? Preventative health care. What mega-trend most concerns you? The negative impact of social media on society and, in particular, on teens. I’m truly worried and scared.
Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father. He loved riddles and there is one he never told me the answer to! As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An actress, and I was one. Not a good one, but a dream come true, nevertheless. What object would you first save from your burning home? All of our passports, so we could stay safe in Spain while the house rebuilds. What day in your life would you like to re-live? June 7, 2009, after the birth of my second child. Mom still with her memory and sense of humor, dancing flamenco in the living room. Dad still alive, holding his only grandson in his hands, talking about real estate. Ciro and I exhausted from not sleeping, but happy! For a split second, my family was complete.
Personal motto: Go for it! Favorite quote: “In the end, what we will regret most are the actions we never dared to take” (Frasier Crane, paraphrasing Lewis Carroll).