I grew up on St. Croix in the USVI, a place that has deeply shaped who I am and how I see the world. My love for storytelling started with my grandmother's folktales, and with the two of us expanding and reshaping them together.
I was also that kid who wouldn't take her nose out of a book unless it was to engage in some on-the-fly storytelling, creating entire new worlds using everyday objects. I've always liked stories with a purpose, gravitating towards authors like Maya Angelou and Octavia Butler, who taught me so much about the fragility and strength of humanity in every sentence they crafted, and movies and television that do the same, from Harry Potter to Attack on Titan and Insecure. I know first-hand that the stories we're exposed to have the power to shape how we see the world and how we treat each other. It's no wonder I found my way to a career in brand and digital storytelling.
My work has straddled the line between brand strategy, creative strategy, digital, and communications. Okay, maybe that's more than one line that I've been straddling, but at the center of it all has been storytelling: ensuring that the right words and mediums are used to effectively communicate with the person the content is made for.
I believe that words should be chosen wisely; they should be used to communicate authentically. I believe in the power of media to reveal something to viewers about themselves or about the world that they didn't see before, and I believe in the power of storytelling to help people feel seen.
I don't believe in spinning or angling items so that they appear to be anything other than what they are. People see through that.
Most recently, as Director of Digital Marketing at The Walt Disney Company, I led social, editorial, and digital creative globally for Disney's core brand and franchises, from Mickey & Friends to Disney Princess and The Muppets. I built the Community Engagement and Campaign functions from scratch and led a team of 12 alongside external vendors and creative partners.
Before that, I was Chief of Staff to the President of Disney Channels Worldwide as it transitioned into the Disney Kids & Family studio. I worked with senior leaders to architect the new studio's positioning for Disney+ and rebuilt workflows across the organization. I also provided creative feedback on films and series in development for both Disney+ and the linear networks, and helped launch new fan initiatives like Disney Junior FanFest. It gave me a deep understanding of how C-suite business decisions shape the priorities and work of an entire team.
Throughout my career, I've tackled roles that management had yet to define and helped to establish metrics for success, even as company goals and identity shifted. I'm a true strategist, because I've had to be, and I've gained invaluable perspective as I've worked to help brands hone their identity and connect with their target audience.
Fifteen years in, storytelling is still what keeps me engaged. Outside of work, I'm still writing, mostly poems and short stories. I go to as many live shows as I can, and lately I've returned to childhood hobbies like rollerblading, cycling, ballet, and ice skating. I'm focused on building a life I enjoy and find value in, and my work is a big part of that.