Tell us about where you work and what you do there.
As a member of the BigCommerce executive leadership, I lead several of the amazing marketing teams, including Product Marketing, Analyst Relations, Public Relations, and our Customer Reference & Use Case Program.
How would you describe yourself?
I come to everything with a growth mindset and an eagerness to learn, by doing, reading, or challenging myself to learn something new. It’s not just a passion of mine, but something that was rooted in my upbringing.
I’m an advocate for employee rights, LGBTQ and other inclusion, and a strong believer that we should all bring our authentic selves to work every day.
I currently sit on the national board of Directors for Planned Parenthood, and last month was appointed by the Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez to the 2020 DNC Standing Committee — specifically the Platform Committee of the DNC as a Superdelegate, Party Leader, and Elected Official. Previously, I served eight years on the national board of directors for the Human Rights Campaign, and had worked on the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and Marriage Equality. I was also a member of President Obama’s National LGBT Policy Committee for the eight years of his presidency.
What do you think has been your biggest professional success so far?
Visibility. In 2004 I transitioned from male to female, finally correcting something that I had known from an early age. This transition was at a time when there were little to no role models, and certainly a lack of knowledge/awareness in the medical community.
As a senior executive in a technology company based in Houston, Texas, I fully expected my CEO (whom I worked with closely) to fire me, but he didn’t. He supported me. While I lost friends, some family, and likely some professional respect, I stood tall and proud of who I was.
My career did take a hit, as did my paycheck, but I was finally me. Over the coming years I put my career back on track. I led LGBTQ Workplace Policies, and went out of my way to help others, especially minorities and women.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration when I get to see others overcome obstacles and shine.
Name an eCommerce brand you admire and why.
Some of the coolest eCommerce sites are the ones that differentiate their experiences. I like Skullcandy for their creativity, Burrow for how they disrupted the furniture market, and Fitbit for the coolness of their site.
We're curating an honoree playlist featuring all of your favorite songs! Name your top three.
Love this!! Music is my go-to for motivation but my collection is so varied — it just depends on my mood and what I need to get done.
But:
I Feel Love – Erasure/Bronski Beat
Niteworks
Anything Studio 54 on SiriusXM!
What do you geek out over?
Cyber! I love the cybersecurity space, having been around it for a couple of decades. I like digging in to find out how and what motivates hackers!
What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate — but specifically English Galaxy Milk Chocolate!
