Theatre management and production degree from York University. Graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse in NYC, and Second City Conservatory in Toronto.
One of five in my class (30 students) to get an agent out of acting school. People said I was the next Lily Tomlin or Carol Burnett.
Then I became a coach. Adult education certification. CTI training. NLP. Emotional Intelligence certification.
And I quietly buried the performer part. Like it was something that didn’t work out. A detour. A past life.
Yesterday, in a conversation with coach extraordinaire, LA (Lorianne) GLASSFORD, it hit me: I’ve been hiding one of my greatest assets.
Here’s the truth: I love being on stage. I come alive when I’m hired to MC an event. I read the room, land moments, pivot when something unexpected happens. That’s Second City training, that’s improv….That’s being fully present with an audience.
And my corporate clients? They have no idea that when I help them nail a high-stakes presentation, I’m drawing on years of stage training.
That when I coach them through difficult conversations, I’m teaching them what every actor learns—how to be present, read the room, and land the moment that matters.
- The comedic timing I honed? It’s why I can help leaders deliver messages that actually stick.
- The improv skills? That’s how I teach teams to collaborate with “yes, and” instead of “yes, but.”
- The vulnerability I learned on stage? It’s how I get executives to show up as humans, not robots.
I didn’t leave performing behind. I just started directing it toward a different audience.
So here’s what I’m done with: treating my theatre training like a failure instead of a foundation. Downplaying the thing that actually makes me different in a sea of coaches.
And here’s what I’m leaning into:
- More stages.
- More keynotes.
- More opportunities to bring these skills to larger audiences.
If you’re looking for someone who can MC your event, moderate a panel that brings out the best in people, deliver a keynote that’s equal parts insight and entertainment, or facilitate with presence and humour, reach out.
PS: If you’ve ever hidden a part of your story because you thought it made you less credible,not more, I see you. I called myself a failed actor for decades! No more.
What if the thing you’re hiding is actually your superpower?