I graduated from UCLA and worked in sales and management before my career in real estate. As an executive sales manager at McGraw-Hill, Inc., I had extensive training and experience in organizing, communicating and negotiating. I left the textbook publishing industry to sail the Pacific with my husband. We spent two and a half years at sea—with no one else on board. My sailing experience taught me a great deal about human nature. These lessons serve me well in the real estate profession. I understand how important buying a home is for our clients and what a huge financial commitment they make when they buy. I know the many issues of selling homes from both professional and personal experience and what they mean to our clients. At sea, I learned to deal with the moment and be calm during the storm—a great skill in the real estate transaction!