Home: New York, NY. Birthplace: New York, NY. Profession: Lawyer and financial crime compliance executive. Title: Financial crime and risk executive director. Pronouns: She/her. Alma mater: University of Colorado. Languages spoken: English.
Current project: Writing my first novel. Recent professional development: Building board readiness through a governance program, mentoring and a pro bono placement track. Latest contribution to others: Supporting organizations and individuals working to combat human trafficking and violence against women and girls. Hobbies: Reading, theatre, hiking, biking, swimming, weight training and travel. Recent travel or adventure: Whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River, hiking the tea trails in Sri Lanka and swimming with sea lions in the Galápagos. Last book read: Heart the Lover, by Lily King. Recently viewed recommendation: Furious, with Emmy Rossum, and The Odyssey.
Personality profile: Curious, intellectually restless, warm, determined and adventurous. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: Ask what the right thing to do is—even when it isn’t the easiest thing to do. How do you define a perfect friendship? Complete trust, intellectual connection, laughter and showing up for one another. What is your greatest joy? My kids, family and closest friends. What is at the top of your bucket list? Going to India with my family. How do you relieve stress? Getting outside and moving—hiking, biking or simply taking a walk. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? A sense of discovery—preferably involving mountains, water, great food and people I love.
What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Photos of my kids and a New York Times front-page article about a case I prosecuted at the US Attorney’s Office. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My law school professor and my mentor at the US Attorney’s Office. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Never allow fear of failure to determine what you attempt. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Know what you don’t know and never be afraid to ask the smartest person in the room to teach you. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Video calling—it keeps me close to my kids in Toronto and Los Angeles between visits. What is your go-to source of news and information? The New York Times and The New Yorker. What company or organization do you most admire? Vital Voices, for its commitment to girls’ and women’s voices.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field?
Moving financial crime compliance beyond identifying what went wrong toward giving businesses better information to make sound decisions before something goes wrong.
What change would you like to see in the world? A world in which women and children are safe from violence and exploitation and human rights are treated as fundamental rather than aspirational. What widely held belief do you reject? More information always leads to better decisions. Good judgment is still indispensable. What mega-trend most excites you? AI’s potential to augment human judgment and change how we understand and manage risk. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI advancing faster than the governance needed to ensure it is used responsibly, transparently and with appropriate human oversight.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Fearless. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My dogs. What advice would you give your younger self? Trust your instincts sooner, worry less about what people think and never be afraid to reinvent yourself. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? Our annual beach BBQ—playing tug-of-war and watching my kids and their friends run down the beach in the dark wearing glow sticks, hearing their laughter.
Personal mission: Make the world a little bit better than I found it. Personal motto: Be fearless, stay curious and keep growing. Favorite quote: “We learn the most where we know the least” (Gloria Steinem).
