Non-profits are often so busy saying yes to everything that strategy gets lost in the shuffle. Chronic underfunding, burnout, and constant resets mean even the best plans rarely stick. What if the real power of communications leadership lies in knowing when to say no, and having the confidence to stay on strategy?

My first month as a consultant has been equal parts exhilarating and energizing. Along the way, I’ve learned that fear isn’t a stop sign — it’s a signal that I’m chasing something worth doing. By anchoring myself in my values — autonomy, freedom, flexibility, creativity, adventure, kindness, and passion — I’ve found clarity and confidence in building Goodluck 13.

Pro bono work isn’t “free work”—it’s trust, impact, and community building. From a skill exchange with my Spanish instructor to supporting the Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples, I’ve found that giving strategically can sharpen your skills, strengthen your values, and build the kind of relationships that create lasting change.

After 20+ years in the nonprofit sector, I recently found myself laid off — and strangely, it felt like freedom. For two years, I’d quietly been preparing for a big leap: launching my own consulting practice and building a life abroad. But it wasn’t until everything familiar fell away that I found the courage to say yes to reinvention. This is the story of my soft launch — into uncertainty, purpose, and something that finally feels like mine.