This week I had the opportunity to guest lecture at LSU (attend my first college football game) and appear on DC News Now to discuss a topic that has defined both my career and my personal journey: Life After Federal Service.

When I made the leap from government into the creative and entrepreneurial space, it wasn’t just a career pivot; it was a reinvention. I can still remember my final day, packing up my office after years of serving in international trade, policy, and program leadership, and asking myself: how do I translate this world into what comes next?

That uncertainty became the foundation of an entirely new chapter, one that has taken me from Washington, D.C., to Quebec, Paris, Dubai, Berlin, and beyond. A journey that earned me a The Webby Awards Honoree for digital storytelling, collaborations with institutions and companies like the HEC Paris, The Laundress, LLC, Nespresso Professional, Shinola, ELLE Canada magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, USA TODAY, Byrdie, and Thrillist (to name a few) and the chance to build a platform that bridges sustainable fashion, cultural diplomacy, and financial empowerment.

Here’s what I’ve learned and lessons I shared on-air:

Federal Skills Are Transferable Power
Strategic planning, global negotiations, stakeholder engagement, these are not just government skills; they’re leadership currencies. When translated properly, they open doors across industries, from media to fashion to international business.

Community Creates Momentum
Transitions feel less daunting when you lean into networks. Alumni communities, global peers, and platforms like my Accountability Group remind us we are not alone in writing our next chapters.

Purpose Doesn’t End, It Evolves
Public service is a mindset. I’ve carried that ethos into creative projects, sustainable fashion advocacy, and international storytelling. The mission doesn’t end; it shifts and expands.

Being on air was a reminder: transitions aren’t about leaving something behind, they’re about stepping into what’s possible. For many of us, the second act can be even more impactful and more global, than the first.

Santé to believing that it is possible to design the life you want to live. If you’d like to book a 1:1 call to strategize your next chapter click here.

Ciao for now 💋