Hey there!
I'm Desiree
I’m on a mission to help You Lead Yourself and Your Team with Confidence, so you can Build a Culture You’re Proud Of!
Connection and Self-Awareness drive culture.
At 24 years old, I was hired on to manage a dementia facility, and quickly realized that 8 years of experience in the healthcare field, and a degree in business administration was not enough. I had absolutely no idea how to manage people.
Unfortunately this is a reality that too many new leaders face.
82% of new leaders are “accidental”, meaning they have not been taught the skills like emotional intelligence, self-awareness, empathy, etc.
For me, it took a global pandemic, a DISC assessment, hundreds of development books and podcast episodes to help me realize that leadership wasn’t about the definition of a leader I had built up in my head. It was about connection; to the vision, to my team, and to my own understanding of who I was as a leader.
Shortly after the COVID restrictions lifted, I left the healthcare field to join the events team at the Chamber of Commerce, so I could create learning opportunities for new and senior leaders. Opportunities I would have given anything to have (especially before I needed them.)
During my time at the Chamber, I had a unique view of so many CEOs, HR Managers, and other community leaders.
I began to hear conversations about culture, conflict, burnout, staffing, high performers, and even more so, under performers.
I got a front seat to the challenges companies were facing in regards to their team dynamics and leadership development.
This fueled my love of all things Culture, Teams and Leadership.
In 2022, just one day after my husband and I brought our son home from the NICU to meet his big sister, I got the call that my mom had a stroke. She passed away from a second stroke just two months later.
My mom was my best friend, and the most devoted leader I knew. She is why I started my company Intentional Action.
I created a company that stemmed from a desire to help people take control of their lives and their story. The goal is to help people live healthier lives, full of amazing relationships, doing work that brings them joy and energy in a company and culture they get to be proud to claim.
I'm So Glad You Asked!
Desiree, What Do you Do?
Through my podcast You’re The Boss, Now What?, myself and expert guests, help listeners to lead themselves and their teams with confidence.
I created the Intentional Leader Summit to bring leadership development opportunities to the SW Minnesota Region. This is an event where over 170 leaders, both men and women from 65+ businesses are represented, with the goal of learning, connecting and growing alongside other leaders in the community.
My signature keynote From Good People to Great Teams: How Self-Awareness, Ownership, and Energy Build a Winning Culture, challenges leaders to take intentional action, starting with themselves.
I am a certified DISC trainer, Working Genius facilitator and certified facilitator of the 5 Behaviors of a Cohesive Team Program (based on Patrick Lencioni’s 5 Dysfunctions of a Team).
All in an effort to show organizations how to transform workplace culture from the inside out, one mindset shift, one conversation, and one empowered team member at a time!
