Entrepreneurship is a family tradition.

My father, grandfather and great grandfather are small business owners.
So are my sister and two brothers.

I have built three successful businesses and bring that experience and insight to coaching and teaching entrepreneurs.

But like so many of us, my path to working with other entrepreneurs has been circuitous.

It started with an interest in oceanography.
Childhood in semi-rural Pennsylvania would hardly suggest a life dedicated to nature and the sea. Nonetheless, by the time I had a summer job at Sandy Hook Marine Lab in New Jersey, I had found my path. It led me through my undergraduate work in biology and graduate degree in marine biology in northern California.

A scientist, an environmentalist and a teacher.
Three years with the Peace Corps in Chile working for the Chilean Fisheries Development Institute followed. We explored for new fish stocks, investigated aquaculture possibilities and worked on transforming fish into a milk-like protein substitute. And I crewed on a fishing boat that went around Cape Horn.

After the Peace Corps, I worked for Cornell under a federal Sea Grant developing programs for teaching teachers about the oceans. I also worked in government with several New York State Legislative committees on science, technology and maritime issues.

In 1984 I started my first business.
Coastal Consultants provided environmental planning, permitting, engineering and construction management services to property owners, developers, marinas and municipalities on the waterfront.

It was my graduate school in business and a life lesson for me; I truly understand the struggle of the entrepreneur.

Coaching is a natural.
Although in many ways I had been coaching people all along, I only heard about business coaches in 1997. I soon learned that coaching was an expanding profession. Through my own work with a coach, I realized my most valuable skills were helping people learn and grow. I had found my next path.

I trained through Coach University and Corporate Coach University, two of the premier coaching institutions.

Since 1991, I’ve been on the faculty of New York University where I’ve developed and taught classes on the Ecological Principles of Business Management and in the Coaching Program, which is part of NYU’s coach certification program.

A book on personal growth through entrepreneurism is in the works. In addition, I am privileged to be a Trustee of the American Littoral Society,
an environmental organization, and a senior advisor to Synchromind, The Leadership Development Company.