New Flights for New Heights

In the months since leaving a fulfilling ten-year run at my prior job, it’s been hard to sit still. As a hard-charging serial monogamist in the career department, I was used to a certain RPM level in my brain, a certain drumbeat to march to, a certain mold in which to fit. It took me some time to acclimate to new patterns, to slow down and savor (for a bit!) the treasured moments of the every day. Taking my kids to the dentist…for the first time. Sitting outside watching the sun rise and the sun set – for days in a row. Nailing the 50-year old’s trifecta – colonoscopy, shingles vaccine and pickleball lessons! Most of all, I had the great fortune to reconnect with my tribe – a fortress of feminism (and fellas) that helped protect me from myself and from the urge to dive back into the fray without pause and thoughtful self-reflection.

If I’ve learned anything during this period of transition, it’s that life is so much more expansive than where I have traditionally focused my energies. And people are so generous -- so many of you reached out to check in, share perspectives, offer opportunities and an invitation to take my time in choosing life’s next turn.

Seizing that invitation sparked a firestorm of abundance – and the opportunity to meet hundreds of new and inspiring people that have helped me catalyze completely new ideas and refine my lens on life with less “but what if?” and more “what the hell?” With a little bit of soak time, my compass for guiding what’s next became clear:

• Learning new things is my jam, and I need a challenge. So, I asked myself...where can I leverage my technology and market expertise while still reinventing, growing and expanding my perspectives in new and different ways?
• A meaningful mission is the key that unlocks the full force of my energy and unwavering commitment. So, I asked myself… what is the hill that I will enthusiastically charge up each day without hesitation?
• Guiding and supporting great teams in realizing their even greater potential is deeply fulfilling. So, I asked myself… where will I find the opportunity to positively impact as many as possible?
• Above all else, people are the #1 priority – people who are kind, ego-free, vulnerable and strong, committed and diverse. So, I asked myself… how can I play a formative role in creating and sustaining a team with this special ethos?
• And finally, unapologetically prioritizing the most important things in my life is nobody’s responsibility but mine. So, I asked myself… where I can create freedom to be authentically me and have that authenticity be a source of energy for those around me?

I found the answer I was looking for at Snowhawk Partners, and I am delighted to be part of building the fantastic team there.

Snowhawk is a new private investment firm focused on the people and platforms that power our digital world. We are located in NYC and Denver, and my work will leverage my experiences scaling technology companies to help fellow operators grow and thrive. And in doing so, I have the honor of supporting the important investment institutions that, for example, enable people like my very own parents to enjoy a safe and comfortable retirement after lifelong careers in public service. That is a mission that inspires me.

It's not lost on me the privilege I enjoy having taken these past months to invest in me. I’m grateful to my family and those of you that helped to fill my cup, and I am eager to pay it forward. I invite you to drop me a note or a comment below if you find yourself at a crossroads or contemplating a professional pause. It would be my privilege to share with you some of the mojo that’s been cultivated through the network of support that held this space for me.