About Me
I am many things. A connector, a creator, an entrepreneur at heart. I build relationships that help organizations grow. I also enjoy creating programs, partnerships, and events to help organizations fulfill their missions. I am honored to now focus my strengths and expertise to combating climate change, for our children and our sustainable future.
My Journey
The Go-Go Years
After graduating from college, I moved to the Czech Republic in the 1990s. Perhaps an unusual choice for an East Coast Filipina-American. But having studied History and Environmental Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, I wanted to make an impact. I wanted to chart my course in the world.
I became the Director of Business Development of the largest Czech environmental consulting firm, later acquired by Tyco/Earth Tech/AECOM. Our UNDP-sponsored symposium led to the creation of national environmental risk assessment guidelines. Our delegation to Washington DC culminated in the environmental cleanup of all major Czech military bases. This relationship building led to environmental impact at a national level.
While living in Prague, I also briefly conducted research for a Soros/World Bank-funded economic think tank. From early in my career, I learned the power of business and finance to drive change. And the importance of public:private partnerships for solving seemingly intractable problems.
After two years in the Czech Republic, I returned to the US, moving to New York City to pursue a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University, with a concentration in International Finance and Banking. I worked for a couple years as an Investment Banking Associate, investing in large-scale infrastructure projects in Asia and Latin America, while based in NYC and Singapore. I honed my analytical and financial skills. It was a valuable experience.
Then by the 2000s, I returned to hands-on, strategic business development roles based out of NYC. I became an Entrepreneur and Business Development Director at early stage startups, mostly in tech and the built environment.
I learned to fundraise, initially raising dozens of five-figure investments to complete the friends and family round of my first startup. Later, as the Director of Business Development of a Series A tech startup, I identified, cultivated, and negotiated their strategic partnerships, resulting in 78% gross profit margins. Subsequently as a Business Development Consultant to a nonprofit startup, I helped the Executive Director raise $5MM in state funding, $1.25MM in federal funding, and $150K in green design grants to launch business incubator NYDesigns. I continued business development and project management roles in real estate and design, my passions. I even completed a second Masters from Columbia University, in Real Estate Development, before moving to the West Coast.
The Mom Years
A decade ago, my husband, son and I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. We wanted to be closer to the outdoors, and to the tech sector for my husband’s work. After being career- and profit-driven in NYC — I stepped back and focused on family, nonprofit and creative pursuits.
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For ten years, I led fundraising and community engagement projects for our son’s independent school in Mill Valley, California. As a Parent Association leader, I helped manage our annual fundraising gala (raising six figures annually) and spearheaded other four- to five-figure fundraising campaigns. I led community-building events, including intimate parent hikes, 300-person science nights, and grade-wide immersive art experiences. I represented the organization and helped grow enrollment as an Admissions Ambassador. My hybrid job title of Stay-at-Home-Mom, Nonprofit Volunteer, and Airbnb Superhost filled me with joy.
Then one day, life took a dramatic turn. Our nine year-old son experienced a TIA (transient ischemic attack). He was diagnosed with a very rare cerebrovascular condition. Timely, state-of-the-art back-to-back brain surgeries at Stanford saved his life and a successful yearlong recovery followed. It was a transformative event. Shepherding our son through that potentially catastrophic experience remains my proudest achievement.
What's Next?
My son and future generations are my motivation for “why climate change.” Giving our children a future in which they can thrive is our paramount responsibility. Having witnessed the power of innovation, action and resilience — it gives me hope. We can restore our planet's health.
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I am honored and grateful to come full circle. To integrate my past, present and future. To be of service, especially for our children and their children. I look forward to the journey to come.
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