My passion is exploring and enabling creativity in all its forms.

I hold a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University and thought I’d spend my life writing and teaching. But things don’t always turn out the way you think they will… I was living in San Francisco in the early 1980s, earning a living as a technical writer while I worked on my creative writing. The personal computing revolution was taking off, drawing in liberal arts graduates like me hired for our creative skills as Silicon Valley worked to humanize their hardware and software. We developed simpler conceptual models, friendlier physical designs, more approachable application interfaces and easier to use instructional materials. It was fascinating, fun and demanding.

I wound up spending my professional career working at the intersection of technology and creative expression. I’ve held individual contributor and senior management positions at Apple, Microsoft, and a wide range of other technology and content development focused companies.

Forty years later we’re still reinventing our relationship with technology. Content creators of all kinds can do more than we ever imagined with their phones, tablets, PCs and specialty devices. But technology has also become more intrusive and distracting. Maintaining your creative focus, energy, and regular practice is harder than ever...

I’ve developed and managed creative, product and business teams of all sizes—and I’ve struggled with my own creative practice. I hope the knowledge and perspectives I’ve developed over the course of my career will help you be more successful and satisfied with your creative work—as an amateur artist, professional artist or business professional with an interest in enhancing your creative thinking and contributions.

Teaching and Coaching

For over two years I served as a Senior Mentor in Tiago Forte’s Building a Second Brain (BASB) course. In partnership with fellow mentor Glen Lubbert, I also lead SecondBrain SuperPowers—a three-week, cohort-based course that helps you build your creative confidence, master the science of flow, and ship your best ideas.

I offer one-on-one BASB and creativity coaching support. Please contact me to learn more.

Other Services

I’m also business consultant. I provide strategic planning, business development, and business writing services to organizations that create and distribute high-value content. Visit Syntopical to learn more about my business services.