I have devoted the past 20 plus years to my family, in the last two, I have added myself to the equation, but my children have always been and remain my number one priority. As my daughters head into their own futures I am able to devote myself again to own my career and the dreams I hope to achieve for myself as a person. I know in doing this I will be a role model for my children, teaching them how to map out, work toward, and achieve their own goals.
In 2015, I started to think seriously about my next chapter. This was such an exciting time for me, I worked for the fascinating Catherine Burns, the famous art dealer, and then the most talked about online furniture store, Previously Owned by a Gay Man. I was approved by the Dean to teach at UC Berkeley in their International Program, which I love and will continue to do in 2017. This period brought with it my love for sailing and a renewed interest in the ocean. I co-founded the non-profit, The Trident Project, and I have started a company with Andrew Lacenere, called Ocean SF.
My 2016 was full of so much hard work that I literally worked around the clock. I would wake up and work and then work until I went to sleep at night. I hardly noticed this, as doing what you really love is always on your mind, and interesting and fun. This is not to mention, the responsibilities of being a mother to two active and mischievous teens, a house on an acre of land, a 70 lb. dog, two cats and a rabbit, plus a second home in Lake Tahoe. I do not take my blessings for granted, but to those where much has been given much is expected. It’s been an incredibly busy time, and then in July, my husband of 22 years unexpectedly died. Having work I love, and so much to do, has been an antidote to my grief and has kept me focused and on my path.
I will share more about Ocean SF and the Trident Project in the days ahead, but for now, all I can say is, if you haven’t already, find the thing in life that lights you up, then devote yourself fearlessly and wholeheartedly to that.
Sydney 