My work focuses on how people navigate change, make difficult decisions, and build the capabilities to thrive when familiar rules no longer apply.

I’m a Distinguished Professor at Northeastern University, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and coach. My work connects the science of human behavior with some of the most consequential decisions we make: how we lead, the careers we build, the relationships we choose, and what we do when life changes.

I earned my PhD in industrial and organizational psychology at Penn State and am a Fellow of both the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the Academy of International Business. At Northeastern’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, my research focuses on cultural agility, global leadership, and how people become effective in unfamiliar environments. I work with organizations and universities around the world to put that research into practice.

My work centers on cultural and contextual agility: understanding the situation you’re in, questioning your assumptions, and adapting thoughtfully to its demands. I focus on six skills that help people navigate differences and uncertainty: curiosity, humility, perspective-taking, resilience, relationship-building, and tolerance of ambiguity. These skills become especially useful when another person’s expectations differ from our own.

As co-founder of Skiilify, I bring this work to myGiide, a platform that helps people understand their values and develop the skills to work effectively across differences.

My books apply behavioral science to the choices we face in different parts of life. Build Your Cultural Agility helps readers become more effective across cultures. Live for a Living, co-authored with Andy Palmer, helps people build careers that fit their values and preferences.

Dating (Again) grew out of my own return to dating after nearly two decades. A PhD in psychology proved remarkably little protection against an awkward first date. I went back to the research and tested what helped in my own life, creating a practical guide to making room for love while protecting your judgment and the life you’ve built. Kirkus Reviews called it “a smart, funny, field-tested guide.”

Through my speaking, LinkedIn Learning courses, and International Business Today podcast, I bring research into conversations about leadership, adaptability, and navigating change. In my coaching, I work with accomplished people who are reconsidering what comes next in their careers, relationships, or lives. Together, we clarify what matters, examine assumptions, weigh choices, and turn insight into action.