Others Say I Am A: People Motivator. Mindful Marketer. Good Human. Dearest Friend.
I am beyond blessed to be here as Member of Destinations International and the EDI Committee Member.
So...a little bit about me. Buckle up because it's a bit of a wild read as my life and career has been quite the wild ride so far.
I have 3G passions in a 6G world and I'm ok with that:
1. GAIN (knowledge, confidence, pride, voice)
2. GIVE (to others and the Earth)
3. GROW (brands, businesses, relationships, communities, people)
Before acquiring Paradise with my husband in January 2018, I spent 25 years leading global brand and consumer marketing, sponsorship, licensing, e-commerce, and retail divisions for companies such as SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, PGA TOUR, NASCAR, and oversaw US Olympic and Paralympic Team Delegation Operations for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Living in 8 countries and traveling to over 20 countries early in my career was the BEST foundation for me as a businesswoman and destination marketer.
You might be familiar with a few of the award-winning marketing projects I was responsible for before joining Paradise: NASCAR Street Tour and Champions Week victory lap events and parade in Times Square; entertainment deals with Universal Music Group Nashville (PGA TOUR) and Lauren Alaina (SeaWorld); Shamu and Penguin One Southwest airplanes (SeaWorld); a record setting 10-year Coca-Cola partnership (SeaWorld Entertainment); SeaRescue, SeaWorld’s Emmy award winning TV Show; best-selling SeaWorld Barbie® (Mattel); GAUNTLET OF POLO® and Global Polo TV® broadcast and OTT platform build and acquisition by ESPN (US Polo Assn.); and apparel programs and retail licensing efforts with Berry Gordy’s Motown artists, Common, Mo’Nique, Ryan Glover, and Showtime at the Apollo.
Since 1992, I've been fortunate to have worked with and built relationships with Olympic and Paralympic executives, sponsors, coaches and athletes, professional and amateur sports organizations, and athletes, as well as met numerous U.S. Presidents and other leaders around the world.
Since pivoting to tourism in 2018, I am so proud to be a part of a Paradise team that delivers unparalleled strategies for destinations, hotels and resorts, attractions, airports, and sports entities. I draw upon my brand and consumer marketing acumen and unmatched business relationships for our clients and the industry.
“Dot Connector” is my superpower, albeit for ideas and relationships, which aptly puts me at the helm of solving business problems and ideating sales and marketing solutions.
I am a graduate of Furman University – where I attended on a division I volleyball full ride scholarship – and earned a master’s degree in Mass Communications from University of South Florida, which honored me with an Outstanding Alumnus award. I am also Six Sigma Certified and a graduate of Harvard Business School Strategic Marketing Management course.
I am also a member of Destinations International, U.S. Travel, Visit Florida, Destinations Florida, and the national Diversity Council, serve on DI’s EDI Committee, and am a global marketing campaign judge for National Grocers Association, Sports Fitness Industry Association, and Web Marketing Association.
Along with my former pro basketball player husband and business partner Tony, we value our down time with family, and enjoy traveling, sports, mountain hikes, periodic digital detoxing, philanthropy, and pursuing a never-ending search for the perfect fishing spot.