Board Experience
2022 – Present
Real Estate Advisory Committee Member
BOSTON UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY ADMINISTRATION
2022 – Present
Executive Board Member
HOWARD UNIVERSITY, MARRIOT-SORENSON CENTER FOR HOSPITALITY LEADERSHIP
2021 – 2023
Board Member
INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION
2020 – 2023
Chair, ForWard Advisory Board; Member, Diversity TaskForce; Advisory Board Member, No Room for Trafficking Advisory Council
AMERICAN HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION
2020
Co-Founder & Chair, Governing Board
THE INITIATIVE: ADVANCING THE BLUE & BLACK PARTNERSHIP
2017 – 2019
Advisory Board Member
ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE COUNSEL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Work Experience
2023 – Present
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
PROGRESS RESIDENTIAL
Responsible for all legal, compliance, risk management, and government affairs functions. Provides strategic counsel to the C-suite and aligns enterprise operations with regulatory, reputational, and legislative priorities.
2022 – 2023
Global General Counsel, Real Estate Asset Management
BLACKSTONE
Senior advisor to the Head of U.S. Asset Management and Global General Counsel for Blackstone Real Estate, overseeing a $577 billion portfolio. Built the firm’s first dedicated legal function for real estate asset management, implementing scalable compliance, governance, and risk frameworks. Partnered with leadership teams across 40+ portfolio companies to optimize value creation and protect enterprise reputation.
2018 – 2022
General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer
G6 HOSPITALITY
Led all legal, compliance, and ESG initiatives. Oversaw franchise administration, risk management, and sustainability programs supporting operational excellence and brand integrity.
2016 – 2018
General Counsel & Head of Risk Management
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LAB
Led the legal department and risk management functions, serving as principal legal advisor to the board of managers. Oversaw investigations, compliance, and enterprise risk strategy for one of the nation’s largest R&D institutions.
2016 – 2018
General Counsel & Head of Risk Management
HILTON WORLDWIDE
Provided strategic legal counsel on hotel operations, global brand management, and franchise compliance for a $2B owner fund. Partnered with senior leadership to ensure regulatory alignment and protect brand equity across international markets.
2007 – 2009
Senior Counsel, Commercial Contracts
CHOICE HOTELS
Negotiated and managed large-scale commercial agreements supporting the company’s global franchise network and supply chain operations.
2005 – 2007
Debt Trading Associate
MORRISON & FOERSTER
Advised on secondary loan market transactions and structured finance deals, representing major financial institutions and investors.
2004 – 2004
Commercial Associate
M. HAMEL SMITH & COMPANY
Served as local counsel on infrastructure and energy projects, primarily in the oil and gas sector.
1999 – 2003
Energy & Project Finance Associate
WHITE & CASE
Advised on international project finance and development, with secondary practices in antitrust and employment law.
Education
2015
Darden Executive Education, Women in Leadership Program
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
1999
Juris Doctor
HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
1994
