Yale alumna

15

9

6

3

1

beloved houseplants, with inventive names like "Aloe" and "Vera"

years running a monthly 'salon' for women entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry

continents visited (see you soon, Antarctica?)

international redhead conventions spoken at

skydiving jump (successfully) attempted

I was born and bred in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

I was born and bred in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. – so, my parents heaved a sigh of relief when I decided to become a performer instead of a politician.

I’d been performing all of my life, but only realized entertainment’s power to shape culture and alter lives as a teenager, when I saw a piece of theater that – in the course of a mere hour – completely changed the worldview of a fellow teen in the audience. He had grown up with bigotry and hatred towards a certain group of people, and the show turned his long-held beliefs on their head by compelling him to empathize with humans he didn’t know personally. Wow! How many political speeches can say that? I became passionate about making a positive impact on the world through storytelling, and graduated from Yale University intent on empowering and inspiring others with laughter, connection, and unexpected perspectives.

So, my parents heaved a sigh of relief when I decided to become a performer instead of a politician.

I’d been performing all of my life, but only realized entertainment’s power to shape culture and alter lives as a teenager, when I saw a piece of theater that – in the course of a mere hour – completely changed the worldview of a fellow teen in the audience. He had grown up with bigotry and hatred towards a certain group of people, and the show turned his long-held beliefs on their head by compelling him to empathize with humans he didn’t know personally. Wow! How many political speeches can say that? I became passionate about making a positive impact on the world through storytelling, and graduated from Yale University intent on empowering and inspiring others with laughter, connection, and unexpected perspectives.

In the midst of my first national tour, a misstep on the stage -- a few weeks before we were to play Radio City Music Hall -- crushed my foot’s fifth metatarsal, but not my dreams. I immediately took to learning performing skills that, at least temporarily, didn’t require a working foot: voice-over, teleprompter hosting, and acting for film, TV, and straight plays. I fell in love with these mediums and continue to work in them today, even with two fully-functioning feet.

After years of being a working actor while encouraging other women to own their power as multi-hyphenates – through my monthly gathering of women entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, which I call Women Taking Over the (Cultural) World – I decided to put my own producing, writing, and editing experience to use. I co-founded the award-winning production company, Good Porpoise, which makes socially-conscious fiction and non-fiction. It’s a joy to contribute to storytelling collaborations in multi-faceted ways, and have the results be so well-received!

When not acting, creating, or connecting fascinating people with each other, I edit performer demos, write song parodies, and conduct a choir. I love the psychology of productivity, the psychology of politics, the psychology of leadership... and popcorn.

In the midst of my first national tour, a misstep on the stage -- a few weeks before we were to play Radio City Music Hall -- crushed my foot’s fifth metatarsal, but not my dreams. I immediately took to learning performing skills that, at least temporarily, didn’t require a working foot: voice-over, teleprompter hosting, and acting for film, TV, and straight plays. (I continue to relish playing in the sandbox of these diverse media, even with two fully-functioning feet.)

After years of being a working actor while encouraging other women to own their power as multi-hyphenates – through my monthly gathering of women entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry, which I call Women Taking Over the (Cultural) World – I decided to put my own producing, writing, and editing experience to use. I co-founded the award-winning production company, Good Porpoise, which makes socially-conscious fiction and non-fiction. It’s a joy to contribute to storytelling collaborations in multi-faceted ways, and have the results be so well-received!

When not acting, creating, or connecting fascinating people with each other, I edit performer demos, write song parodies, and conduct a choir. I love the psychology of productivity, the psychology of politics, the psychology of leadership... and popcorn.