I come from a background where hard work was not a choice but a necessity. Growing up in construction sites across Southern California, I learned the value of discipline, perseverance, and integrity—principles that continue to define my approach to every challenge. Those early experiences shaped my understanding of what it means to lead and to serve.
Over the past decade, I have built upon that foundation through ten years of military service, both in the United States and abroad. My career has taken me from open-pit mines and warehouses to combat deployments and classrooms, providing a front-row seat to the full spectrum of leadership—from ineffective to exceptional. Today, as an instructor at one of the Army’s premier leadership academies, I draw upon those experiences to teach, mentor, and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Now, as a Ph.D. candidate in Communication, I bring a scholar’s perspective to the lessons I have learned. My research and professional practice are grounded in a belief that leadership is ultimately an act of service—an understanding that true leaders are those who have first learned to follow. By integrating blue-collar work ethic, military discipline, and academic insight, I strive to bridge the gap between theory and practice, contributing to a culture of communication, empathy, and excellence in every environment I serve.
