From Battle Creek to Boardrooms — and Back to the Community
I help people, small businesses, and the next generation unlock potential, embrace technology responsibly, and lead with purpose.
The Story That Shaped Me
I grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to make sure my brother and I had what we needed. Our city was filled with violence, gangs, and constant temptation. I changed schools regularly, and while I was smart enough to test my way through, I was more focused on having fun than paying attention.
Sports became my escape and my classroom. I wasn’t the biggest athlete, so I became the craftiest — always thinking five steps ahead, reading people, and adapting in the moment. That skill would later become the foundation for how I lead, problem-solve, and innovate.
But in 2011, everything changed. A work accident shattered both of my elbows, forcing me into three years of surgeries and physical therapy. I learned firsthand what resilience truly meant. I realized I had taken life for granted. When I got back on my feet, I worked in a drug and alcohol rehab, helping people who had hit rock bottom. That’s when my purpose clicked: I was here to help others rebuild, starting with belief in themselves.
The Resilient Path
I’ve been underestimated my entire career. My résumé never told the full story — the systems I’ve built, the enterprise-level projects I’ve delivered, the high-level conversations I’ve had with leaders at Dell, HPE, Wells Fargo, and AT&T.
From selling shoes at Champs Sports to working with some of the world’s largest companies, I’ve built my career on being a quick learner, an extreme change agent, and someone willing to take calculated risks to create impact.
In 2025, I took a leap.. a “micro-retirement” .. to bet on myself. My mission was clear:
Help small businesses leverage AI and automation to do more with less
Prepare the next generation to lead in an AI-powered world
Leave the world better than I found it
Future Leaders Academy
The idea for Future Leaders Academy started with a conversation about giving back to my community. When AI in Education was signed into law, I saw a massive gap: everyone was talking about how AI might take adult jobs, but no one was talking about preparing kids to use AI responsibly and creatively.
Future Leaders Academy was born to fill that gap — blending literacy, leadership, and digital skills with a focus on ethics, creativity, and resilience. We developed 52 weeks of challenges that keep kids learning year-round, building the life skills schools often don’t have time to teach.
My favorite moments? Seeing kids light up when they realize they can create with technology, not just consume it. Like Jaz (my little buddy), a 4-year-old who calls our AI mascot “Byte” his buddy and asks to learn every time he visits. That’s why I do this.
Helping Small Businesses Thrive
After years of working with large corporations, I realized the tools and strategies they use aren’t exclusive to companies with massive budgets. Small businesses can leverage the same automation, AI, and digital systems to save time, increase visibility, and grow — often for a fraction of the cost.
I help business owners:
Automate repetitive tasks to free up their time
Build and optimize websites to match their vision
Improve search rankings to attract more customers
Integrate AI responsibly into daily operations
Most small business owners don’t know these opportunities exist — I make sure they do.
My Mission & Promise
Whether you’re:
A school looking to prepare your students for the future
A business owner ready to use technology to scale
An organization seeking a speaker who inspires action
…let’s talk about how we can make it happen.
