About Me
How Olympic training, teenage entrepreneurship, and climbing the Great Wall in a snowstorm taught me to build technology that unlocks human potential
My Foundations
Training for the Olympics taught me grit and precision.
I spent the formative years of my life training in sprint flatwater kayaking with the goal of making the Olympic team. I loved the challenge it gave me, the discipline required. It was early mornings on the water, technical refinement measured in milliseconds, and building the fortitude to push through even when it is hard. I learned that:
“Excellence isn’t about dramatic breakthroughs, It’s about consistent, incremental improvement. Every stroke mattered. Every detail counted.”
After facing a career-ending injury, my journey toward the Olympics was cut short. But what I gained was far more valuable: the understanding that ambitious goals require both strategic planning and relentless execution. That lesson shows up every day in how I approach product development—breaking down complex challenges into manageable sprints, optimizing for performance, and never settling for “good enough”.
Purchasing my first WordPress site showed me how technology unlocks freedom.
When I was a teenager, I saved up birthday money and bought my first domain and hosting for a WordPress site. What started as a creative outlet became something much more significant—a portfolio site that eventually funded my prom dress and helped pay for college.
More importantly, it taught me that technology, when designed thoughtfully, can remove barriers and expand what’s possible. That early experience showed me the transformative power of accessible technology. I didn’t need formal training or expensive resources to build something meaningful. WordPress empowered me to create, publish, and connect with others.
Decades later, that philosophy still drives my work: the best technology feels invisible while making people’s work more joyful.
Studying abroad in China taught me empathy and resilience.
During my junior year of college, I spent a full academic year studying at Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (北师香港浸会大学) in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China. While there I was immersed in a new language, navigating unfamiliar cultural norms, and learning to see the world through a completely different lens. It was an incredible opportunity to put my Mandarin minor to work and complete my senior thesis research for my International Studies degree.
One particularly memorable day, I climbed portions of the Great Wall during an unexpected snowstorm. What could have been a miserable experience became an opportunity to connect with locals who showed us extraordinary kindness—sharing hot tea, helping us navigate treacherous paths, and ensuring we made it back to Beijing safely.
Despite language barriers and cultural differences, their willingness to truly understand us left a lasting impression. That experience taught me firsthand that the most meaningful solutions come from deep empathy—from genuinely understanding the context, constraints, and aspirations of the people you’re building for.
It’s why I conduct extensive user research. It’s why I prioritize accessibility and inclusive design. And it’s why I’ve successfully led global teams across time zones, from India to the United States. There is tremendous value in ensuring there is a voice for users at the table.
My Professional Evolution
I’ve spent the last 7+ years building AI-powered platforms and enterprise-scale products that serve tens of thousands of users. Some highlights include:
- Launched a Digital Asset Management platform from scratch serving 8,000+ employees at a Fortune 20 healthcare company, securing funding within 90 days and increasing content reuse by 30%
- Designed and deployed AI-powered search solutions leveraging NLP and machine learning that reduced asset retrieval time by 40%
- Led 0-to-1 product development of real-time content delivery applications, achieving 85%+ user satisfaction through rapid prototyping and iterative testing
- Executed a cloud migration of 500,000+ digital assets with zero downtime
• What Drives Me Today •
After years of self-improvement and therapy—which has genuinely transformed my personal, professional, and emotional life—I’ve honed in on my personal goals and values. I’ve learned that the most meaningful work happens when:
- Empathy meets technical excellence – Understanding people deeply while building with precision
- Innovation serves accessibility – Making powerful tools available to everyone, not just experts
- Complexity becomes clarity – Translating architectural challenges into intuitive experiences
- AI enhances humanity – Using machine learning to amplify human creativity, not replace it
I’m drawn to mission-driven work projects that democratize knowledge, expand access to essential services, or empower creative expression. I want to build systems that help people, whether that’s through better healthcare technology, educational platforms, or tools that support mental wellness.
• How I Work •
My approach blends systems thinking with human-centered design.
I operate at the intersection of AI/ML innovation, enterprise architecture, user research, and Agile execution—leading cross-functional teams across time zones with transparency and trust.
I believe there’s rarely a single “right” way to solve a problem. The best solutions come from inclusive collaboration, full-spectrum thinking, and the willingness to experiment. I run A/B tests, analyze behavioral data, and iterate based on what users actually do—not what we assume they’ll do.
And when resources are tight? I get scrappy. I’ve bootstrapped integrations with zero budget, secured enterprise funding in 90 days when none existed, and found creative solutions when traditional paths were blocked. Constraints breed creativity.
• Beyond My Resume •
When I’m not building products you might find me:
- Contributing to wikis and open knowledge platforms (a habit from my teenage years spent building Wiki sites for local Maker Spaces)
- Volunteering at libraries and supporting literacy programs, because I’ve witnessed firsthand how reading changes lives
- Exploring sentiment analysis and collaborative filtering through personal projects like ReadingHaven—a book recommendation engine that connects readers to stories based on emotional resonance
- Advocating in my community for expanded access to mental health services, because therapy changed my life and everyone deserves that support
I’m also deeply grateful for the leadership opportunities I’ve had—from co-chairing Women in Leadership Development at UPS to serving as VP of Public Relations for the Toastmasters chapter. These experiences reinforced that leadership isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about creating environments where people feel empowered to do their best work.
Interested in Working Together?
I’m currently building my consulting practice and exploring opportunities with mission-driven organizations where I can apply my expertise in AI-powered platforms, content systems, and enterprise product strategy.
If you’re working on technology that democratizes access, improves people’s lives, or unlocks creative potential—I’d love to hear from you.