Why the Sum is Greater: Beyond the Footnote
I’ve had a long and interesting life, filled with experiences that have shaped who I am today. Some of these experiences were planned, others stumbled upon, and a few were outright surprises. But through it all, I’ve built a career, a family, and a life filled with adventure, service, and purpose.
I started working at 12 because I had to. I was raised by a divorced mother with three kids, and there wasn’t enough to go around on most days. While working was a necessity, something about earning my own money, taking responsibility, and learning the value of hard work appealed to me. That drive never left.
At one point in my teen years, I found myself responsible for managing a condominium unit for a member of the band, Boston. It was an odd but fascinating part of my job, and I got to hang out with this person whenever he was in town.
I served for six years as a USMC “Mustanger” Officer, at one point holding a battalion-level command role. The Marine Corps taught me leadership, resilience, and discipline—lessons that stayed with me long after I hung up the uniform.
Even after the military, public service continued to be a part of my life. I served for 14 years on my local school board, working to improve education for the next generation. I also found my way into the IT and cybersecurity world, building multiple InfoSec programs from the ground up and leading teams through complex challenges. Work I still do today.
I am a career mentor to many, providing assistance and direction to over 100 IT professionals.
Outside of work, I’ve pushed myself physically. Running half-marathons became a regular thing, and I’ve tested my endurance in Tough Mudders and a Spartan Race “just for fun.” A six-hour hike? I call that a short jaunt.
But life isn’t all about work and physical challenges. I raised a family and now have the privilege of spending time with my grandkids, taking them on adventures I could only dream of as a child. My home is filled with plants, and a love for gardening is woven into my daily life. For two years, I studied to become an ordained Buddhist Minister, exploring spirituality and mindfulness in a deep and meaningful way.
And yet, of all the things I’ve done, of all the roles I’ve played, one fact about me often gets fixated on the most by a tiny segment of society: I happen to be transgender.
Here’s the truth: That’s the least significant thing about me.
It doesn’t define my work ethic, my service, my passion for leadership, my love for my family, or my ability to push myself beyond my limits. It isn’t a factor for anyone I’ve led or helped. It’s just one small piece of a much bigger, richer story.
I am the sum of my experiences. I am a leader, a builder, an adventurer, a mentor, a gardener, a runner, and a lifelong learner. Being transgender? It’s just a footnote. And if that’s the most interesting thing someone sees in me, then they’re missing out on a much bigger, more complex, and more fascinating story.
And my story will go on.
