Thirty years ago, I was a 17-year-old girl in inner-city Brooklyn with a dream that felt much bigger than my circumstances.
I was determined. I wanted to earn my doctorate in psychology, open my own practice, and help others. I even graduated high school early just to get a head start on making that dream a reality.
But life has a way of evolving. Somewhere along the way, I sat in an Industrial-Organizational Psychology class at the University of South Florida, and my entire trajectory shifted. I became fascinated—honestly, some would say obsessed—with the world of business. I fell in love with the psychology of leadership, the stories that financials paint, and the incredible, raw power that motivated people bring to an organization.
Honoring the 17-Year-Old Girl
Thirty years later, I still look back and feel proud of that girl from Brooklyn. I’m proud of her drive, her focus, and her absolute refusal to let a difficult childhood write the ending of her story. She didn’t just want a career; she wanted to be an entrepreneur and make a tangible difference.
In many ways, I’ve become exactly what she imagined.
I am deeply grateful for the career I’ve built, the mentors who shaped my path, and the organizations I’ve had the privilege to scale. But more than anything, I’m grateful to be in a position where I can finally give back to the institution that started it all.
The USF Department of Economics Board of Advisors
I recently joined the inaugural meeting of the USF Department of Economics Board of Advisors. My goal in this role is to provide strategic service to the department and, most importantly, to support the undergraduate and graduate students walking the same halls I once did.
Economics is about so much more than numbers—it’s about how we shape public policy, drive business strategy, and understand the world. USF offers a rigorous environment where students are prepared for impactful careers in academia, government, and the private sector.
Supporting the Next Generation of Visionaries
Being back at USF, surrounded by a community focused on research and innovation, feels like a true full-circle moment. Whether these students want to change the world through policy or build the next billion-dollar company, I am honored to help them navigate their own trajectories.
Learn more about the incredible work being done at the USF Department of Economics.
