When I joined Smartsheet earlier this year, I was energized by the company’s transformation, but even more excited by the opportunity ahead. I firmly believe that while effective and predictable communication is always important, it becomes absolutely essential during times of high growth and change. That’s what drew me to leading Corporate Communications at Smartsheet — it’s a great opportunity to bring together my experience across internal messaging and external engagement. And I’m proud to do this work at Smartsheet.
Transformation isn’t just something that happens within an organization, it also happens to the people experiencing it. I learned this during my time at Dell Technologies, where I managed communications through two major periods of change. These moments were intense, demanding resilience and trust. But they were also incredibly rewarding, because this is when real growth happens. What stands out to me isn’t the external recognition we earned (although that was fun to read), but the people I watched grow. I am most proud of the teams I supported realizing their career aspirations and reaching their goals. Helping others achieve their ambitions is what makes leadership meaningful to me.
Here’s what I’ve learned about myself: I’m a pragmatic optimist. I believe in assuming positive intent and giving others the benefit of the doubt, but I’m also realistic. I lead with a somewhat informal working style, while still holding myself and others to high expectations. This mindset shapes how I approach every interaction, whether I’m guiding my team through change or creating a space where they feel supported.
Staying grounded
It’s easy to lose focus during intense periods, so to stay focused, I like to recharge by running the Town Lake Trail in Austin. It’s most peaceful in the early morning—the rowing teams are hitting the water and the birds are waking up. I leave my phone behind and enjoy the silence and running.
At Smartsheet, I see the same opportunity I’ve always sought: to lead with clarity, to help others grow, and to bring in a healthy dose of realistic optimism. Transformation requires energy and momentum, and I’m excited for the journey ahead at Smartsheet.
Transformation starts with you. Explore career opportunities at Smartsheet.
