What is the worst advice you have ever received?

Early in my career, I was told that my path was set by my degrees. With an Ivy League double major in Plant Science and Viticulture & Enology, followed by a Master’s degree in Horticulture, the logical choice was to remain in the biological sciences. While my academic foundation was built on the study of intricate systems, my true calling wasn’t in a lab or vineyard– it was in helping people navigate their most essential challenges. I realized quickly that the same analytical precision required to understand biological processes could be used to master the complexities of the tax code. My transition into the tax world wasn’t a straight line, but it was driven by a simple discovery: I could provide immediate, tangible value to almost everyone I met through proactive tax insights. What started as little tax tips grew into a passion for solving high-level, multifaceted financial problems. By ignoring the advice to “stick to what I knew,” I leaned into a new field where I could help the most.

What is a book (fiction or non-fiction) that you find yourself recommending to friends and family over and over again?

‘When Breath Becomes Air’ is a profound memoir by neurosurgeon Dr. Paul Kalanithi, who after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, transitions from a doctor treating death to a patient facing it. He explores the pursuit of a meaningful life despite inevitable mortality, urging readers to define what makes their own existence worth living when time is no longer a guarantee.

What core philosophy or favorite quote drives your daily approach to life?

My daily approach is guided by the mantra: ‘Onward and Upward.’ I’ve found that the secret to both a successful career and a happy home is the art of moving forward. By meeting challenges with a short memory for failure and an open heart for change, I stay focused on manifesting positive, purposeful outcomes in everything I do.

If you had a completely free, uninterrupted Saturday, where are you most likely to be found and how are you spending it?

My best Saturdays are a mix of high-energy fun and intentional recovery. Beginning on the pickleball court before my kids wake up, followed by a quiet coffee with my husband. In the afternoon we head into the woods for a family hike and a picnic. I aim to time naps for a peaceful drive home and finish the day in the kitchen, testing new recipes or teaching my son to cook. The finale is a family meal over a great glass of wine.

What was your very first job, and what humbling or valuable lesson did it teach you?

My first job was shoveling horse manure—the only way I could afford horseback riding lessons as a kid. Throughout my teenage years, I was a competitive eventer, and that early experience in the stables taught me that if you want to reach the podium, you have to be willing to do the unglamorous work behind the scenes. It was a masterclass in responsibility and discipline, and taught me the importance of putting the needs of another living being before my own.

When traveling, are you the ‘color-coded itinerary’ person or the ‘let’s just see where the day takes us’ person?

I used to be the traveler with the 20-page, color-coded binder until my- now husband famously tossed my itinerary into an airport trash can on our first Euro trip and told me to “trust him.” A decade later and we still live by his golden rule: plan one main activity per day, then just wander. You can’t stumble upon hidden alleyway bistros or schedule chance encounters; those only happen in the white space of an unplanned afternoon.