I’ve always been the one who asks the tough questions. You know, the deep, probing, self-reflective ones that might make you roll your eyes but get to the heart of the matter. In high school, they nicknamed me Sister Sue because I was always in “big sister” mode, doling out advice (mostly to the guys) faster than you could swipe right. In my early engineering days, my probing solved problems and laid the foundation to become a professional facilitator. Then, life decided to dish up a steady state of change: moving every two years. I turned my obsession with questioning into a tool for career growth, reinvention, and launching a string of mostly successful businesses.

I’ve enjoyed many roles and refuse to be defined by just one—from naval architect designing nuclear submarines to commercial and residential interior designer, Disney executive to Nestle brand manager, professional poker player to international business owner, costume designer to educational consultant.

In my early thirties, my family reached a fork in the road—my career or my husband’s. Who was going to play the supportive spouse? Who was going to suck it up and pivot? Well, I’ve always loved a good challenge and have a higher tolerance for risk, so guess whose career took the hit? I walked away from a high-profile executive role at Disney to dive headfirst into a whirlwind of travel, endure multiple international moves, and reinvent myself more times than Madonna, all while juggling two kids. And you know what? I never once glanced in the rearview mirror. NO REGRETS! Every move, every win, and yes, even the epic fails, recharged me for the next adventure. I stared down each change with a poker face and a healthy attitude for whatever came next.

Consequently, the “big sister” nickname got a much-needed upgrade to the “Pivot Queen.” I didn’t just pivot; I made it an art form. Hell, I even wrote a syllabus on how to do it like a pro. Here’s the cheat sheet:
• Meet everyone willing to talk to you while building your network.
• Ask a freakishly large number of questions.
• Spot a niche or an opening and do some competitive market research.
• Dive in and absorb everything you can about this new obsession.
• Identify your target audience.
• Get ready to blow up the status quo.
• Deliver the goods.
• Pivot to the next big thing.

Let’s be clear: I love jumping headfirst into new ventures, but I’d be lying if I said it always goes according to plan—or my timeline. I’ve hit plenty of bumps, taken some wrong turns, and learned that success isn’t just about charging ahead. It’s about knowing when to yell for help, phone a friend, or just hit pause and regroup. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a rock-solid support system, my husband, who has encouraged my wild risks and deals with my tech meltdowns. My kids keep me grounded (and remind me not to take myself too seriously), and my friends have been there through every win, fail, and “what was I thinking?” moment. They’ve all taught me the importance of giving myself a little grace when things go sideways. Thanks to this amazing crew, I’ve learned when to push my limits and when to pull back and recharge. Because if there’s one thing I’ve figured out, it’s that you don’t have to go it alone (nor should you), and sometimes, knowing when to step back is the biggest power move of all.

These days, I split my time between Texas and New York, racking up those frequent flyer miles. At 64, I’m not slowing down any time soon, hence my latest obsession, PROVOKED by Susan.

I’m here to ask big, uncomfortable questions, push boundaries like they’re suggestions, and inspire you to do the same. Join me as I continue to explore, create, and live with all the power of a woman who mostly knows exactly what she wants.

Now, let’s flip the script and turn my annoying, probing questions over to you:

When was the last time you made a serious pivot?
And don’t lie—are you due for another one?