Some of you may know that at the end of last year, I made a major shift—I left Big Four consulting and started my own practice. Since then, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. But instead of trying to explain everything, I thought I’d share one recent story that captures the work I do better than any fancy consultant-speak ever could…

When I was in Spain I received a crash course on the Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition. And as someone who recently spent several months learning about the Catholic Church by participating in adult catechism (I’ve always loved studying comparative religion), it truly pained me to see the devastating impact the Reconquista and the Inquisition had on cultural and faith communities throughout the Iberian Peninsula. 

What I love about travel is two fold: Travel challenges my assumptions by reminding me there’s more than one way to live. Each day I step foot in a new country, I'm not-so-subtly reminded to rethink everything–from the foods I eat and the language I speak, to the way I commute, and perhaps more importantly, the rhythm of life…

Since we’re embarking on a new year, there’s no better time than right now to lay the foundation for what you want to build in 2026. For years, I created collage-style vision boards on a large canvas, and while they looked great, nothing much ever came of them. Then I realized that in my effort to fill an entire board, I had clouded my vision with countless words and images, rather than focusing my future on one singular intention. That realization changed how I tackled my personal “year-end” assessment. 

I don’t know about you, but my holiday decorations go up well before Thanksgiving—and with the tree, lights, and ornaments come the Christmas carols. This year, while listening to a classic rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” it struck me that Santa Claus just might be the ultimate inclusive leader.