In my formative years, growing up in a single-mother household, I witnessed my mother's unwavering determination to support three young children through waitressing jobs. The spark of inspiration ignited at the age of 10 when, during a visit to her workplace, a customer posed the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" My response was clear: "I want to become someone who could help people like my mother."

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Years later, after a career on Wall Street immediately following 9/11 and during a period of corporate downsizing, I found myself at a career crossroads, yearning for a more meaningful path and work-life balance.  After years of prayer, I seized the opportunity to establish a nonprofit based in the public school where my daughter attended. The organization was dedicated to educating, preparing, and connecting single mothers and low-income parents to job opportunities, empowering them to support their children's success.

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For over 14 years (2004-2018), I have wholeheartedly devoted my time, talent, and resources to the cause. Throughout this journey, our organization has impacted more than 16,000 low-income public school parents and garnered recognition for exceptional workforce and educational programs. During my tenure as Executive Director/CEO, the organization established many strategic partnerships with businesses, coordinated the involvement of numerous corporate volunteers across various industries, and raised a few million dollars in revenues and in-kind support. This endeavor led to a total of 16 awards, including nine personal accolades and seven organizational honors, serving as a testament to the profound impact of my commitment to empowering families and marginalized communities.