I spent 15 years climbing the corporate ladder in operations leadership. VP by 38. And somewhere along the way, I realized the advice I kept getting — “be more confident,” “speak up more,” “lean in” — was maddeningly vague.
So I started writing down what actually worked. The specific moves. The exact scripts. The tactical playbook that nobody hands you when you get your first leadership title.
What This Site Is
Planning in High Heels is career strategy for women in leadership. Not inspiration — strategy. The kind of specific, actionable advice I wish someone had given me when I was navigating my first director role.
I write about salary negotiation, executive presence, workplace politics, personal branding, and the messy reality of building a career as a woman in leadership. I’m direct about what works, honest about what doesn’t, and always tactical.
My Approach
Every piece of advice on this site passes one test: could you actually do this tomorrow morning?
If it’s too vague to act on, I cut it. If it requires “just be more confident,” I replace it with the specific behavior that creates confidence. If it sounds like a motivational poster, it doesn’t belong here.
I’ve coached over 200 women through leadership transitions, salary negotiations, and career pivots. The patterns are remarkably consistent. The good news: the moves that work are learnable.
The Name
Yes, it’s a little on the nose. Planning is what I do. The high heels are optional — I’m equally strategic in sneakers.