Thought Leadership
AI, Identity & Strategy
I write from lived experience in strategy, identity, and AI. Generative AI helps refine clarity and validate data — but the voice and perspective are entirely my own.
The Blanket Theory of Trust: How Target Lost Its Conscience
This one was hard to write. Not because I’m mad. Because I still want the blanket.
For years, Target was the rare brand that made belonging feel casual. You’d walk in for toothpaste and walk out with a little affirmation tucked into your bag. Pride wasn’t seasonal — it was spatial. It lived in the aisles, woven into the colors, the tone, the quiet promise that this place sees you.
And then, 2023 happened. The backlash. The retreat. The silence.
When Target pulled its Pride collection, it didn’t just move product — it moved meaning. It told queer people what we’ve always half-suspected: our safety here was situational.
This isn’t about outrage. It’s about empathy debt — the emotional residue that builds when remorse never matures into reflection. You can’t pay it off with apologies. You pay it off with change.
Watering Your Flowers: A Reflection on Growth, Gratitude, and Quiet Impact
As I prepare to leave SymphonyAI and step into a new chapter, I’ve been reflecting on these quiet moments and the lessons they hold. This past week, I’ve been deeply moved by the kind words of colleagues and clients who’ve shared how my work impacted their own. These conversations reminded me of something we often forget: we are far more exceptional than we give ourselves credit for.
Price Controls Aren't the Answer, but Neither Is the Free Market
The Supermarket News article dismissing grocery price controls lacks a valid path forward, relying on theoretical arguments without concrete industry data. While free markets have driven economic growth, they rarely reverse inflation in healthy markets. Hyland's reliance on general economic principles and historical examples, like the 1970s gas crisis, weakens his argument against price controls, leaving it speculative and unsupported by current evidence.
The Dark Side of Unpaid Internships: Navigating the Risks and Finding Solutions
In a recent article, Kinjil Mathur, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Squarespace, shared her unconventional journey to success, which began with cold-calling companies listed in the Yellow Pages to land unpaid internships (Royle). While her story is inspiring, it raises important concerns about the implications of promoting unpaid work and the hustle mentality. This blog post explores the potential negative aspects of Mathur's advice and offers solutions to mitigate these risks.
Organizational and Leadership Credibility: The Key to Employee Retention
In response to the Harvard Business Review article, "Why Great Employees Leave Great Cultures," this post explores the crucial role of organizational and leadership credibility in employee retention. In today's competitive job market, retaining top talent goes beyond offering attractive perks or competitive salaries. The core of employee retention lies in organizational and leadership credibility. When words align with actions, it builds a foundation of trust and respect, essential for a thriving workplace culture.
Stop & Shop Store Closures - A Sign of Potential Impact of the FTC Blocking Albertson's Kroger Merger
When Stop & Shop’s leaders list these stores as “underperforming” - what does that mean? I think it is safe to say competitive pressures would contribute to a stores closure, and a merger of their two biggest grocery rivals would certainly not benefit them.