I traveled and performed with Up With People my senior year of high school, the catalyst for me becoming a lifelong changemaker. Although we’d never met, I called Bob Hope and convinced him to sponsor my travels and hit the road.
I created a volunteer program for “at-risk” girls in residential treatment, giving them the opportunity to experience their value. They went from “problem child” to young women making a priceless contribution in the community.
As an employer, I saw first-hand that our education system was not preparing youth for the real-world. I created a project-based learning model that continues to be replicated nationwide.
I met a precious little girl with a terminal illness whose parents had abandoned her…and I opened my heart and adopted her, transforming both of our lives.