ABOUT

As the oldest child of refugees, I grew up carrying the weight of dreams I didn’t choose but felt deeply in my bones. My parents had left behind everything—family, home, and security—for a future they couldn’t yet see. Before I was even born, their sacrifices set the expectation: I had to succeed. Failure wasn’t an option. If I didn’t create a life worthy of their sacrifices, who would?

Then, everything changed in an instant. My sister’s car accident, just three months before her high school graduation, turned our world upside down. One day, she was a typical seventeen-year-old; the next, she was waking up from a months-long coma, on life support, slowly realizing her world would never be the same. She was now visually impaired and facing lifelong physical and verbal challenges. Watching her rebuild her life redefined resilience for me. It was raw, relentless, and deeply inspiring.

But even as I admired her strength, I buried my own exhaustion. At one point, I was working a full-time job during the day and a part-time job at night to support my family. There wasn’t space for me to feel anything. I was numb. I was in survival mode, carrying the weight of everyone else’s needs.

I kept pushing forward: earning my master’s and doctoral degrees, collecting certifications, building a successful career, marrying my incredible husband, starting a family, buying the house and car in the suburbs. I checked every box society told me mattered. My mantra was simple: Hustle hard, then hustle harder. On paper, I had it all. Inside, I felt hollow. I didn’t know who I was beyond my achievements. I didn't love myself more than I loved my achievements.

That realization changed everything. I started recognizing that I had been through some things that required healing, not just pushing through. I sought the guidance of a therapist, life coach, leadership coach, and mentors who became my trusted board of advisors. They helped me rebuild. Not for others, but for myself. I began to understand that moving forward meant reframing how and why life happens: for you, not to you.

Those experiences transformed me. They taught me that true leadership doesn’t come from titles or accomplishments but from authenticity, clarity, and self-compassion.

That’s how Lead Lighter™ was born. I poured everything I had learned—my lived experiences, published academic research, and leadership development expertise—into creating a framework designed to help ambitious women like you break free from burnout, rediscover your inner spark, and lead with purpose, joy, and ease.

Whether it’s advancing in your career, securing that long-deserved promotion, or finally finding the balance between your work and personal life, I believe success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your well-being. With clarity, confidence, and a sense of purpose, you can achieve the professional growth you desire while building a life that feels truly fulfilling.