Writer

I began as an actress in D.C. before moving to New York, where I found my voice in the mid-’90s spoken word movement. As a member of the 1995 Nuyorican Slam Team, I learned how art could challenge, provoke, and transform—lessons that would later inform my approach to institutional leadership.

I've published four poetry collections, most recently Detroit as Barn, a finalist for the National Poetry Series, the Cleveland State Open Book Prize, and the Maine Book Award. My third collection, Troubled Tongues, won the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Prize and was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award, the Idaho Poetry Prize, and the Crab Orchard Poetry Prize. My first two books, Kin and Lunatic, were published by Michigan State University Press. My work appears in publications including American Poetry Review, Virginia Quarterly Review, Ploughshares, and The Norton Anthology of African American Poetry, and was selected for The Best American Poetry 2017.

The Museum of Modern Art has twice commissioned my work: Elegy for Us is part of MoMA's permanent poetry tour, and Double Helix, which was written for the Jacob Lawrence Migration Series.

It took me some years to earn a Bachelor’s degree. I was enthralled by the world beyond Higher Ed, holding positions as varied as actor, waitress, bartender, bookseller, nail technician, and so on. Through those experiences, I learned a great deal about the dignity of work, creativity, what motivates individuals, how our differences are our least interesting or salient characteristics, and how hard work, collaboration, and curiosity are skills and traits for the ages. While I attended Wayne State and Howard universities for stints just after high school, my degrees were ultimately earned from NYU and Cornell years later.

I have received fellowships from MacDowell Colony, Literary Arts, and the Oregon Arts Commission, among others. Raised between Detroit and Madrid, I bring a multicultural lens to both my creative and executive work. And, finally, dogs—all breeds, all sizes, snaggletoothed or not—engender an irrational joy in me that is nearly unparalleled.

Executive Leader

I've spent two decades transforming higher education institutions through strategic vision, deep mission alignment, and an unwavering belief that organizations thrive when their practices align with stated values and when constituents are genuinely engaged. My approach combines creative problem-solving with disciplined operational leadership—building cultures where innovation, joy, and excellence coexist. I'm energized by the challenge of turning complex problems into opportunities for growth. As a sought-after speaker on leadership, organizational transformation, the necessity of art and design, and the intersection of creativity and strategic thinking, I've shared insights with audiences ranging from senior executives to national conferences.

Rhode Island School of Design (2022–present)
As the 18th President of one of the world’s leading art and design schools, I oversee a $450M endowment, a $180M operating budget, 2,500 students, 1,200 faculty and staff, nine collective bargaining units, and the state's largest art museum. Leading an institution through complex social, political, and financial challenges has taught me to navigate complexity with patience and clarity, compassionately balancing competing interests while keeping our mission—educating the next generation of creative leaders—at the center of every decision.

In 3 years, I've secured the largest philanthropic gift in RISD's history, driven 40% growth in applications while our sector contracts, and implemented $26M in operational savings through strategic transformation. As chief fundraiser, I've cultivated transformational relationships with donors, alumni, and philanthropic partners, personally stewarding major gifts and building a culture of philanthropy across the institution. I've strengthened both our endowment performance and our Board of Trustees, working closely with the Board to refine governance structures, clarify roles and responsibilities, and deepen their engagement with our mission.

As RISD's global ambassador, I've represented the institution internationally, forging strategic partnerships, elevating our profile in key markets, and advancing RISD’s position as a leader in art and design education worldwide. This work has strengthened our competitive edge in a rapidly changing landscape while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Boston University (2017–2022)
As Vice President and Associate Provost for Community & Inclusion, I built BU's inaugural DEI infrastructure, reporting to the Provost, and expanded my portfolio to include Organizational Development and Learning, the Arts Initiative, the Newbury Center, and LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty & Staff. What excited me most was embedding equity work into the university's core operations—from procurement and institutional research to faculty search processes—so it became inseparable from our mission of educational excellence. I led through significant organizational conflict, building trust across diverse stakeholder groups and creating space for difficult conversations that ultimately strengthened our community.

Bates College (2013–2017)
As Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives on the president's cabinet, I developed institutional strategy while keeping our liberal arts mission front and center. I co-wrote a $1M Mellon Foundation grant that transformed faculty recruitment, doubled the size of our intercultural education office, and created signature programs that made our values visible in daily practice. I managed complex budgets, stewarded major institutional grants, and partnered with our Board on strategic priorities. Through it all, I learned that mission-centered work requires both idealism and pragmatism—you need vision and a detailed implementation plan.

Reed College (2000–2013)
As the inaugural Dean for Institutional Diversity, I designed a new administrative function and partnered with senior leadership to advance our mission through more inclusive practices. As a faculty activist for over a decade before that, I learned how to build coalitions, navigate resistance, and create lasting change from the ground up—work that required equal parts persistence, creativity, and faith in our collective capacity to evolve.

Core Capabilities:
Financial stewardship and strategic resource allocation • Major gift fundraising and donor cultivation • Complex labor relations and union engagement • Leading through conflict and organizational change • Board development and governance excellence • Strategic planning rooted in mission • Global partnership development and institutional positioning • Endowment oversight and revenue diversification • Building and leading high-performing teams • Joy-centered leadership • Turning vision into operational reality