We all know the story. You land a job in Big Tech. Heads down, vest stock, climb the ladder—Senior Engineer to Director to VP. Build a solid nest egg. Ride into the sunset.

There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s stable. It works. But after 25 years building products across five continents, I’ve learned something: comfort is growth’s quietest enemy.

The first few years in any role are where you grow the most. New systems, new challenges, lots to learn. But after year five, you’re no longer solving new problems—you’re solving for predictability. You stop learning how to build and start learning how to navigate org charts.

I didn’t want a career that happened to me. I wanted to design one that fit who I am.

Builder > Maintainer

At Microsoft, I wasn’t maintaining legacy code—I helped build Office 365 from scratch. At Amazon, I rebuilt Prime Video’s recommendation system and launched it in 180+ countries. At Visible, I launched an entirely new all-digital carrier that improved engineering output 10x.

I like the chaos of creation. Once a product hits steady state, I get restless. I’ve always known I’m a builder. If I had stayed in one job for 15 years, I’d probably have a bigger title—but fewer skills.

You have to know your wiring. If you’re a builder, don’t wait too long in the "run phase." It dulls the edge.

The Side Project That’s Not a Side Project

For the last decade, I’ve always had something extra going on. While leading teams at Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and LinkedIn, I also built Be Human Capital, investing in 12 startups. I ran NWITP, a nonprofit helping tech leaders grow. I wrote. I mentored.

Some thought I was distracted. I wasn’t.

Working with early-stage founders sharpened my skills. It reminded me how to move fast. That same urgency helped me 5x valuation at Visible. That energy fed back into the system.

It’s About Energy, Not Time

People ask how I juggle everything—C-suite job, family, startups, writing. The answer? Energy management.

  • Scale with intention: I don’t micromanage my fund. I built a smart team. They execute. I show up where strategy is needed.

  • Cut the noise: I don’t do performative work. If something doesn’t add value, I drop it.

  • Recharge with purpose: I’ve meditated(if not, at least focused investors for sure) daily for 10+ years. It’s how I reset. Without it, I’d burn out.

One Suit Can’t Fit All

If careers were suits, most companies would have you believe there’s just one size. But we’re not all built the same. Expecting everyone to grow the same way is like handing the same suit to a 200-lb footballer and a 110-lb marathoner.

Some of us are misfits—on purpose. We grow differently, move differently, and thrive when we’re designing, not just climbing.

The Next Chapter

As I move into this next chapter, I’m excited to finally have the space to go deeper into the portfolio companies I’ve supported over the years. These startups have been building quietly and steadily, and I now have the time and clarity to help accelerate their momentum. I'm also exploring the idea of co-founding a couple of platforms I’ve long wanted to build—ideas that have been sitting in notebooks for years while other priorities took the lead. With some of the foundational work behind me, this is the time to focus on building with intention again—from the ground up.

If you’re in a role right now, ask yourself: Are you learning, or are you lingering?

And if you’re lingering, maybe it’s time to build.