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Why should you build a team of change champions?

Change champions are the people inside your organization who lead others through change. They know how to rally others, ask the hard questions, and stay focused when things get messy. They create alignment and momentum.

They see change as an opportunity — not a disruption. When you invest in building change champions, you’re not just navigating today’s initiative. You’re setting teams up to lead through whatever comes next.

LET'S MAKE THAT HAPPEN

What a beautiful year 🎉 No year comes without its challenges but looking back at these photos, I’m reminded of just how much joy lived here too. As I close out 2025, my heart is full of gratitude for all it brought me: ✨ New memories with my wife and kids ✨ Lessons I needed from every change and challenge ✨ Doors opening that I didn’t even know I was knocking on ✨ Seeing God work in more ways than I can count Happy NYE, my friends!

Leaders: Trust us, we’ll tell you everything soon. Teams: 🫠🤨🫨 People want to be part of what is coming! As leaders, it's our job to keep them involved. 💡Share progress, not perfection 💡Ask for input 💡Acknowledge uncertainty

If you're new here, welcome! Thanks for following along. For those who have been here... thanks for sticking around 😎

Rodriguez Twins: Round 2! Coming our way March 2026 💛💛

Had the absolute pleasure of leading a virtual workshop last week for a group of leaders at UnitedHealthcare! We explored how our brains naturally react to change (spoiler: it’s usually not positive 🫠). The good news? Leaders can help rewire that response so teams begin to lean in during times of change and transition. It all starts with 3Cs: connection, clarity, and commitment. Huge thank you to @katiequesada for bringing me in and to the team for your energy, insights, and participation!

Had an amazing time with the Berkshire Hathaway Homestate team this week! We built a Change Charter to help them define their path through a major change, and they showed up ready to work! It was a powerful reminder that change can happen TO us or WITH us 🙌 #speaker #changemanagement #teambuilding

FIVE YEARS of these kind, funny, loving, and oh so special little gents. What a beautiful gift you both are. Happy birthday, boys ❤️

JUUUUNE ☀️ Our first full month with all the kiddos home and it was so much fun. There have been many trips the library, HOURS spent at the pool, and lots and lots of playing. We also are growing some tomatoes, chives, and dill in the backyard. I'm basically a gardener now. Happy summer, friends! 💛

It's HEREEEEE 🎉 Workshops, team building and coaching all designed to help orgs lead change that’s more effective, more impactful, and well...more human. I’ve spent my career helping people + teams become champions of change. And no matter what it was — new team, new tools, new direction — one thing always holds true: 💡 Strategy doesn’t deliver change. People do. If your team is navigating change, let’s chat!

Don'tcha wanna dance, say you wanna dance 🪩💚

Motherhood is going out for dinner with some friends and finding a bag of @goldfishsmiles in your purse 🙃 Happy Mother's Day!

Changes coming your way? Stop waiting to involve your teams in the process 👎🏻 ➕Involvement creates engagement. ➕Engagement creates buy in. ➕Buy in makes change happen.

The Launch and Leave: where most change efforts go to die☠️ Change is coming! Great, happens all the time. But no one wants yet another "new process" that doesn't actually get used. As a leader, you can help by: 1️⃣ KEEPING IT VISIBLE 2️⃣ MODELING IT 3️⃣ LEAVING SPACE FOR QUESTIONS The most impactful change efforts aren't built on the change itself - they are built on the people that lead through them.

To all the incredible women who joined me for Indy’s very first Mic Drop Club meetup… Thank you, thank you, thank you 🙏 Mic Drop Club isn’t just for professional speakers. It’s for any woman who wants to grow her voice, her confidence, and her community. But it takes courage to show up to something like this. To be all in, willing to speak, share, and try something new. These women did it with vulnerability, boldness, and so much heart. Can’t wait for what’s next 💛

Christina and I took the crew to Chicago for a quick trip during spring break and my city-girl heart is still exploding with joy 💛 Having spent a few years living between NYC, Brooklyn, and D.C. it was so nostalgic to be back in a city doing things like walking to and from breakfast but this time, with my kids and spouse. Gearing up the week for more coaching sessions with some amazing clients AND Indy's first in-person meet up with @micdropworkshop Interested in coaching session with me? LMK! 🥳 Want to join me at the Mic Drop meet up? Link in bio!

Fun fact: I didn’t learn to ride a bike until I was 25. 🫠 It was wobbly, awkward, and humbling — but I stuck with it. A year later, my wife and I rode 18 miles around the Grand Canyon. 👏 EIGHTEEN MILES 👏 That didn’t happen overnight. I had to build that foundation — with time, intention, and consistency. Change management works the same way. We assume teams will “just get it,” but that only works if the foundation is already there. You can’t skip straight to 18 miles. But I can help ya get there.

Took the crew to Chicago for a few days and we started at the @colorfactoryco 🖍️ It was such a cool experience! And nothing keeps you on your toes like having your 3 kids explore a room full of mirror mazes 😅

I can tell you all the reasons why you should sign up... or you could just come experience it for yourself. Mic Drop Club is THE place to be for women you want to become better speakers, build confidence, and meet other amazing women who are doing the same! ➡️ Next virtual meeting: April 3rd 📍First LOCAL MEET UP for Indy: April 17th Links in the bio to sign up!

Okay, I'm not going to share the whole story in one post but here's the short version —I was laid off, became a caretaker, prioritized my health, stepped away from corporate life, and opened a childcare business (more on that one later). WHEW 😅 This year has reinforced that change is inevitable and how you approach it shapes the experience for everyone around you. As leaders, you set the tone: how you build trust, communicate the vision, and guide others through uncertainty determines whether change feels like chaos—or an opportunity. That’s why I am introducing a new keynote, workshop, and coaching offerings—all designed to help leaders and teams become champions of change by bridging the gap between empowering people and building the right plans. If you are leading through change (or know someone who is), let’s connect! I’d love to help make change your greatest asset.

THIS ONE'S FOR THE LADIESSSS 🎤👏 Exciting news! I'm teaming up with @micdropworkshop to lead the Indy chapter of Mic Drop Club -- a women's only public speaking group 🥳 Our first virtual meeting is Feb. 6th + we get to meet up IRL every quarter! Plus, you'll work with and learn from @jess_ekstrom, @lindsayboccardo, and so many other amazing women. All the deets (people still say that, right?) are in the link in my bio!

Here is to vulnerability, the connections it brings, and the reminder that there are ✨ people ✨ behind the projects 💛

October was a BLUR 🎃

Happy 4th birthday, boys 💛 I am so blessed to be your mom.

MY BOOT IS OFFICIALLY OFF 🥳 It took almost two years, three doctors, hours of physical therapy, and foot surgery to heal an injury and I AM SO HAPPY to be moving on. Celebrated being boot free (and the long weekend) with a baseball game, bike rides, and lots of fireworks. Hope you all had a great weekend🧨

"If someone on your team is brave and vulnerable enough to propose a new idea, reward them by responding with genuine curiosity." I spent my Thursday with some amazing folks from National Indemnity Company while speaking at their leadership summit. It was really special to interact with a groups of leaders who had worked for the organization for 10, 20, 30+ years AND to watch them experience💡moments. My biggest💡moment? The reminder that if someone is willing to ask questions, they are willing to learn. If they are willing to learn, they are willing to try something new. And if they are willing to try something new, that's where the magic can happen. I'll be back in Omaha for round 2 next week!

"Your greatest contribution to the universe may not be something you do, but someone you raise." HASHTAG BLESSED by these little humans 💛

🎶SANNN FRANNN CISCOOO🎶 Still reminiscing on a short, but AMAZING trip to the west coast to work with the incredible @imgix sales team on mastering the art of negotiation. We kicked off the session with improv games (duh!) and by calling out those negotiation myths we've all heard at some point - then we debunked them. BUT I'm curious. What comes to mind for YOU when you think about having to negotiate? #sales #negotiation #theimprovgirl

OMG, HELLO 2024! 🙌🏼 It's a new year, a new beginning, and a perfect time to re-introduce myself to all you lovely people. My name is Jess. I’m an entrepreneur, a boss mom (x3!), and a person who is always striving to be better than she was yesterday. Whether you're looking to take your business to the next level, improve your sales skills, or just need some inspiration to keep going, I am here to help you reach those goals. Some other things about me: 🌟I am a professionally trained actor & improv comedian 🏡 I have moved over 35 times 👻 I was a ghost tour guide in high school 👑I believe iced coffee is the superior coffee. To all my new followers - welcome! To the OGs - thanks for stickin' around. Who is ready for 2024?! #theimprovgirl #newyearnewbeginnings #bossmom #entrepreneurmindset #setgoals #takeaction #coaching #salescoach #salestrainer

✨INCLUSION MATTERS✨ I'll never forget the first time my daughter saw the Buzz Lightyear movie, and realized there were TWO MOMS in the story. You could see the lightbulb go off as she connected the dots between her own life and something she saw on screen. With bright eyes and a wide smile she exclaimed, "Hey! He has two moms, too!". That very brief scene had the power to remind my daughter that she - and her family - are important and belong. Inclusion matters, my friends. It matters in the big things and small things, in our words and our actions. It matters for every single person you interact with - even if you don't know it. #inclusion #kindness #wordsmatter

Last October, I took a tumble carrying one of the boys down some stairs. He was perfectly fine, and I left urgent care with crutches and a sprained ankle that "would be better in no time." Yet here I am...back in a boot. Over the last 14 months, I have seen three doctors and two physical therapists who all insisted "nothing is wrong." But I KNEW something was wrong. I recently decided to get another opinion. In a whopping 6 minutes, she found the issue. "You were right," she said, "there is something wrong. I'm sorry no one believed you." Consider this your relatively pushy reminder to always be your own biggest advocate and trust your instincts. It can be really difficult and is certainly vulnerable at times. But it can also be the difference between: 🩼 Growth and stagnation 🩼 Innovation and complacency 🩼 Seizing opportunities and settling for what's handed to us Think about ways you can can advocate for yourself this week. Cheering you on 💛

DID YOU KNOW... 💡 Organizational agility has been shown to INCREASE EFFICIENCY, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, and PERFORMANCE by 30%. 💡 Financial performance has been shown to INCREASE between 15%-65% for agile organizations. 💡 However, an estimated 71% of businesses have low agility according to a survey by the Business Agility Institute. Mastering agility starts with your mindset; how you respond to and approach the changes and challenges that come your way. Here are 3 improv rules to get you started 💪

Someone told me early in my career that I'd never be able to accomplish my goals in the world of sales and training. They said I wasn't educated enough, I wasn't talented enough, I wasn't knowledgeable enough. That someone was me. I doubted myself and my work for a long time. I worried that my unique perspective on how you sell and how you teach others to sell would be frowned upon because it meant doing things differently. But I had to try. And today, I am ecstatic to share that I have been named a 2023 Enablement Legend. Thank you to my peers and the folks at @the_enablement_squad and @seismicsoftware 💛 This is an honor that I will carry with me for many, many years to come. Keep going, friends. Keep doing things differently than they've always been done. You never know where it will take you. #award #speaker #salestrainer

Let me tell you about this group of women who are✨MAGIC, JOY, and PASSION ✨ all rolled in one. A few weeks ago, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking to the Girls Inc. Indy team about using "yes, and..." to create a strong culture of belonging in the workplace and I've truly never met a group like this. The excitement to learn, the willingness to be vulnerable, and the unwavering encouragement for each other was incredible to witness. Plus, it was Barbie themed sooooo you know that it extra special 🎀 Thank you for having me! #speaker #companyculture #theimprovgirl #teambuilding

FUN FACT: Company kick offs are MY JAM 🤩 As an employee, I've always loved them. Starting off the year with positive momentum, energy, and an opportunity to grow? YES PLEASE. As a SPEAKER, I love them even more. Helping a team CREATE that momentum, energy, and growth? COUNT ME IN👏 If you are on the hunt for a speaker who will help your teams experience real growth AND leave them with the confidence and skills they need to succeed), let's chat! #speaker #conferencespeaker #salesconference #leadershipconference #theimprovgirl

The act of "Coming Out" is a journey that has no map and no guideline. It's personal. It's vulnerable. It's imperfect. But it's yours - and that means it is special and worthy of celebration. Whether you are just starting or you've come a long way, know that you are loved, rooted for, and exactly where you are supposed to be 💛 Happy #nationalcomingoutday 🌈 #speaker #celebrate #love #comingout

MEET ME AT #MidwestMC2023 🤩 I am THRILLED to be presenting at the Midwest Multifamily Conference hosted by @iaaconnect on October 27th. Join me for any (or all!) of the three improv-based workshops I'll be hosting. Check out the 🔗 in my bio for session details! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE! #indianaapartments #conference #speaker #theimprovgirl #sales #leasingagent #iaaconnect

IMPROV + L&D LEADERS + ATD = MAGIC 🪄 I had the absolute pleasure of presenting at ATD Nebraska's Annual Conference this week, and OMG what a blast. ICYMI: The simplest, most effective way to create a culture that inspires big ideas, innovation, and trust is to start with "yes, and...". @atdnebraska you have my 💛 Let's do it again next year! #speaker #atd #companyculture #theimprovgirl #conferencespeaker

How it started vs. how it ended ➡️ A few weeks ago, I decided to hit the phones. I've been coaching reps on cold calling techniques for years. But it's been a hot minute since I actually cold called someone. Here's what happened: 😵‍💫 About 50% of the time, I would hang up the phone and think, "Did I just say that?" 🥴 I stumbled over introducing MYSELF... multiple times in a row. 😬 A person's tone definitely deterred me from asking about a follow up 😅 Voicemails were left that I hope no one ever hears SHEESH. I KNOW how to do these things! But I still struggled. This exercise was humbling, eye opening, and motivating. It was the best reminder that you're never too experienced to learn and improve your skills. Share your favorite sales tips with me! #sales #coldcalling #salescoaching #salestips #salesperson

To anyone who thinks the rules of improv comedy are just for comedians, this one's for you 😉

In improv, the ONLY guarantee is that things are going to change -- and they will change fast. It teaches you to take things as come and make the most of what you're given. Here is a #tbt from when I spoke at the Sales Enablement Collective's Chicago summit two weeks after falling down some stairs 🥴 Whether on stage or in real life, adapting to the unexpected leads to some of the most unforgettable performances. Here's to rolling with the punches and embracing every twist that comes your way! 🌟 #EmbraceChange #TheImprovGirl #TakeItAsItComes

We are halfway through the week AND through the month of August. If there's something you've been wanting to try but haven't yet, consider this your friendly kick in the pants to get started 😎 * * * #youcandothis #entrepreneurmindset #inspire #speaker #motivation

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