Q: Can you tell us a bit about your career background and what led you to your current position?
A: Sure, so I’ve been in multiple different industries throughout my career, including transportation, health care, and nonprofit. My last position was in nonprofit working for the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation from 2008-2019, so about 11 years. There, I started out as a senior accountant and then was promoted to CFO later on. As CFO, among other things, I supervised the staff and made sure the audit was done timely and accurately.
I took a break from work during the pandemic, until I got a call from a recruiter friend of mine who introduced me to Larkin Street. It wasn’t until I heard Sherilyn Adams share her story at Paving the Way, when I realized I had just found the next great place and knew it was somewhere I could do work that went beyond just the accounting.
Q: Ultimately, what made you decide to work for Larkin Street?
A: I wanted to add value to what I was doing. Moving numbers around on a piece of paper is one thing, but working at Larkin Street gave me the opportunity to also have an impact on people’s lives. That’s much more satisfying to say the least.
Q: What excites you about the future of the organization?
A: The continued growth, direction we’re currently on, and the difference we are making. The continuous help we provide to anyone who needs it is very inspiring.
Q: What does leadership mean to you?
A: There are two sides to leadership. As the leader, you have to be the person who has the vision and the person who can mold, shape, and develop young talent. The other side is being someone who receives leadership and this involves looking up to someone who inspires you and has the ability to communicate effectively.
Q: What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
A: Be careful, there are going to be some traps in life, as well as some pitfalls that are unavoidable. There’s also going to be a lot of toe-stubbing because you are going to take directions that you believe are right until you discover are wrong. So, it is important to stay focused, stay the course, and stay yourself.
