Hi, I'm David, a business professional and writer with 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, and customer success. I've worked in publishing and social media and have led sales and policy teams at one of the largest social media companies in the world.

My leadership philosophy, shaped by my time working abroad (and a lot of trial and error), centers around empathy, patience, and mindfully embracing all experience. These aren't just principles—they're my North Star and they inspire me to bring my whole centered and present attention to everything I do.

Beyond work, I find balance hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park, cultivating gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, and chasing the perfect cup of coffee (all hobbies that reflect my commitment to slowing down, staying present, and trusting the process).

If you'd like to discuss potential partnerships or my side projects, let's connect!

Listening to Understand: Early Lessons in Leadership

I started my career in publishing as a media producer but transitioned to academic sales where I stayed for six years managing territories in the US and Europe. These early experiences laid the foundation for how I approach leadership today: with empathy, active listening, and a focus on helping others grow.

Later, at Meta, where I led global policy and sales teams, I learned another valuable lesson about managing people in a demanding, goal-focused culture: leadership isn't just about consistently hitting targets. It's about inspiring people, nurturing their strengths, and creating space for them to succeed.

Three Years Abroad: A Masterclass in Adaptation

My years living and working abroad were pivotal professionally and personally. Managing clients across the UK and northern Europe taught me to adapt to the nuances of different cultures—how to listen first and tailor my approach to meet the needs of each unique market.

This adaptability has become a cornerstone of my work, helping me build stronger relationships and craft solutions that resonate because they're informed by experience and feel authentic and personal.

The lessons I learned during those years extended beyond business. They changed how I engage with people from all walks of life, fostering an openness that informs everything I do. These lessons have enlightened me and shaped my approach to work and life.

After my time at Meta, a period of reflection led me to create two side projects aligned with my core values. AMICUS/AE a digital marketing agency, and Ember Integration, a wellness and wellbeing practice.

Crafting Stories and Supporting Growth

AMICUS/AE was born from the simple idea that work is better (and more fun) when you partner with people you admire and trust. At AMICUS/AE we have one core mission: to help businesses succeed through the cultivation of meaningful, collaborative relationships built on trust.

Marketing isn't just consideration and engagement metrics—it's about telling stories that resonate, inform, entertain, and surprise and building long-term client relationships. AMICUS/AE allows me to practice the marketing principles I preach with clients I consider partners and friends.

Ember Integration is a wellness practice that supports individuals through life's transitions. In both ventures, my approach is rooted in trust and connection. I listen closely, ask the right questions, and direct clients toward solutions informed by my experience and their intentions, mission, and vision.

Beyond Work: The Passions That Define Us

We are more than the titles we hold or the jobs we do. Our hobbies often reflect what we truly care about. The time I spend immersed in nature, cultivating mushrooms, or even brewing the perfect cup of coffee reveals as much about who I am as my work does.

Nature has always shaped how I view the world, and Rocky Mountain National Park is my classroom and escape. A few years ago I committed to hiking its trails at least once each month (it's a short drive away). Those experiences have given me a deep appreciation for life's rhythms and cycles. Returning to the same trails month after month lets me witness subtle changes in the landscape, from the recovery of a struggling aspen grove to the rise and fall of glacial ponds. This connection with the natural world has taught me patience, mindfulness, and the value of slowing down to see and appreciate what's around me.

My love for the natural world extends beyond Colorado mountain trails. Mushroom cultivation is another way I connect with nature, and it's a practice that mirrors many of the values I hold dear: patience, precision, and respect for life's delicate web.

The Perfect Cup: Beans, Water, Grind and Time

Brewing the perfect cup of coffee may sound like a weird hobby to some, but for me, it's a daily ritual that brings me joy and grounds me in the present moment. It requires practiced mindfulness, which parallels the careful attention I try to bring to everything I do.

Much like cultivating mushrooms or working with clients, brewing the perfect cup of coffee is a practice in focus and intention.

If you're interested, for a perfect cup of coffee every time, start with freshly roasted beans—ideally from a local roaster and about 8 days post-roast to let off any built-up gasses. I recommend using a Clever brewer, which combines the best of a pour-over and French press, giving you control over the brew time.

My go-to recipe: 20 grams of light roast Ethiopian beans, ground to a medium setting with a burr grinder. Heat your water just off the boil, and use 360 grams per serving. Pour the water in slow, circular motions over the grounds, and let it steep for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Then, place the Clever over your mug and let the coffee draw down for another 30 seconds.