Some decisions whisper before they roar. They show up as quiet nudges—fatigue you can’t shake, the sense of misalignment, the growing question of is this really how I want to live?
This year, I reached that point.
For over 25 years, I poured myself into corporate life, most recently at Ford in a Chief of Staff role supporting a global data and engineering organization. I loved the challenge, the strategy, and the privilege of guiding leaders and teams through complex transformation.
But when the company shifted its return-to-office requirements, it meant I would have to compromise on a non-negotiable I had set from the beginning: being fully present with my family while working remotely. I had built my life around that commitment, and I knew sacrificing it would cost me more than I was willing to give.
Walking away was not easy. It meant letting go of the security and rhythm I had known for decades. But as with any season of growth, sometimes you have to release what no longer fits to make room for what’s next.
And so I chose to step away.
It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made—and the healthiest. Because in choosing to leave, I chose myself. I chose balance, authenticity, and the possibility of building something that reflects not just what I can do, but who I am.
That choice gave life to Unsalted Oak.
The name is more than a brand—it’s a story. “Unsalted” honors my Michigan roots, where the Great Lakes stretch wide and fresh, unmatched and unshaken. “Oak” symbolizes strength, resilience, and the slow, steady growth that lasts for generations.
Together, Unsalted Oak stands for clarity, rootedness, and fresh perspective—the very things I hope to bring to the leaders and teams I work with.
With Unsalted Oak, my work is about more than strategy or structure. It’s about creating conditions where people and organizations can grow in a way that feels grounded and sustainable:
At the same time, I’ve also been nurturing another branch of this journey: Jade & Oak.
Where Unsalted Oak focuses on guiding leaders and organizations through change, Jade & Oak creates space for individuals to pause, reset, and restore balance. Through retreats, reflection, and practices that calm the nervous system, Jade & Oak is about addressing the very real burnout and stress that so many of us carry.
At first glance, these two paths may seem different—corporate consulting on one hand, soulful wellness on the other. But for me, they share the same root. I always love to help people. Both are about that, helping people find clarity, resilience, and alignment—whether that’s in the boardroom or in the quiet circle of a retreat.
Because the truth is: strategy and wellness are not separate. Leaders make better decisions when they are grounded. Teams thrive when individuals are restored. And organizations flourish when the people inside them are whole and not burnt out
The oak tree teaches us something important: growth is not always about speed. It’s about depth. Its roots run wide and deep before its branches ever reach the sky. It sheds its leaves in fall, not as a loss, but as a preparation for renewal.
That’s what this season feels like for me. Letting go of what no longer serves, rooting deeper into what matters most, and trusting that the branches will grow strong in time.
Launching Unsalted Oak and Jade & Oak is both a leap and a grounding. A leap into uncertainty. A grounding in authenticity. And like the oak, by choosing balance and aligning who I am with what I do, the impact will last far beyond this season.
This is just the beginning.
Whether you’re leading through transformation or simply searching for space to breathe, I’d love to share the work I’m building through Unsalted Oak and Jade & Oak. Both are rooted in the same belief: when we align who we are with what we do, we create impact that lasts.