From Mascot to Mission: Leading with Soul Across Ice Rinks, Parks, and Boardrooms
Leadership doesn’t always begin in the boardroom.
Sometimes, it starts behind a mask—on skates.
From 1980 to 1984, I proudly served as Bananas the Bear, the spirited, skating mascot of the University of Maine. As an NCAA Division I All-American cheerleader, I learned to lead in unconventional ways—building energy in unpredictable environments and rallying others without saying a word.
I didn’t know it then, but those years shaped the foundation of my leadership philosophy—one rooted in presence, humility, and service.
🌲 From Park Trails to Executive Tables
After college, I joined the National Park Service as a Park Ranger—leading conservation programs, guiding outdoor education, and connecting with people from all walks of life. That’s where I first experienced values-based leadership—built not on position, but presence.
My career later led me to the private sector and into senior executive roles in enterprise technology. I was entrusted with leading global operational resilience, technology continuity, and crisis response programs—often during times of profound transformation.
Yet at every level, I’ve returned to the same belief:
How we lead matters as much as what we manage.
💛 Leading with Soul: A Framework for Modern Leaders
Through years of experience across sectors, I’ve developed a six-part personal framework I call Leading with Soul. It’s designed for leaders who want to show up with clarity, compassion, and integrity—whether you’re on the front lines or in the boardroom.
1. Step Into the Role With Intention
Purpose-driven presence sets the tone. Whether addressing a board or facilitating a community event, leading with intention creates alignment and trust.
2. Be Seen Without Needing the Spotlight
As a mascot, my job was to uplift others—not to be the center of attention. Soulful leaders know that visibility isn’t about ego—it’s about creating space for others to shine.
3. Bring the Energy—Especially When It’s Hard
In leadership, how you show up under pressure speaks volumes. Your steadiness becomes the signal others rely on.
4. Embody the Values (Even When No One’s Watching)
Leadership isn’t performative. It’s a daily practice of showing up with integrity in big moments and small decisions alike.
5. Make It About the Mission, Not the Mask
True leadership isn’t about the role—it’s about the responsibility. Stay grounded in the mission, not the optics.
6. Leave People Better Than You Found Them
From national parks to corporate strategy sessions, my goal has always been the same: lead in ways that elevate others.
🕊️ From Ice Rinks to International Impact
Today, I work across borders and industries—speaking on leadership, guiding peace initiatives with Roots of Peace, building purpose-driven consulting through Paxaterra Global, and serving Rotary as a Peace Chair.
Whether facilitating change in the C-suite or walking a post-conflict vineyard, I bring the same values I learned behind the mascot mask:
- Show up fully.
- Lead with intention.
- Make it meaningful.
Because leadership isn’t about where you start—it’s about how you show up. And when you lead with soul, you create trust that scales and impact that lasts.
📩 Let’s Connect
If your organization is ready for a new kind of leadership—one rooted in resilience, clarity, and compassion—I’d love to talk.
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