For Theresa, it has always been about PEOPLE, and over 30 +years ago, she began her adventure in “People & Pixie Dust” at the Disneyland Resort, Anaheim CA. As her leadership responsibilities expanded, she realized building authentic relationships were the tipping point and critical success factor in achieving the goals and success of the overall organization.

In 2005, Theresa had the amazing opportunity to bring Hong Kong Disneyland to life and has been connected to the APAC region ever since! With a brief US stint, she returned to region in 2009 beginning her second phase of her APAC adventure. Theresa made her Mainland China debut as part of the Shanghai Disneyland Resort Opening team in 2013. With her knowledge and experience from other sites she built an organization unique to the China market focused on the “Right People, Right Place, Right Time.”

Encouraging, developing and motivating teams & communities is critically important to Theresa. She believes in creating an environment where people feel safe, seen and heard. Where they can USE their voice and face their fears so they find the courage to accomplish their goals.

Focusing on people, driving trust, transparency and respect to strengthen engagement allows them to create magic, inspire each other and drive effective business decisions and results.

Theresa is passionate about creating that same environment for women and their allies. She is an active mentor and believes that all women should make the time to share their stories, so we better understand each other, to support each other and inspire courage within each other! Together, hand in hand, we can always step into the next!

2024, she transitioned to gaming and hospitality with a new adventure in Macau that challenges her every day in a high paced environment with ever changing drivers to meet individual and company goals.

In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it. – Marianne Williamson

As President, Theresa’s purpose is to ensure the vision of IPWS lives on with over 30 years of Connecting, Growth, Inspiration, Leadership and Empowering female professionals to mold the future of leadership across the globe by creating an authentic platform where the Amazing Women of Shanghai can thrive!

IPWS’ strives to make sure that there is a space that women know they are not alone and they can learn and gather strength in each other. A space that is filled with humor, compassion, and is calm and welcoming. Starting with our leadership team, which consists of amazing and diverse women who all bring different strengths to the table.

She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for both Disney Parks and Resorts and International Professional Women’s Society (IPWS).

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama

 And she truly believes “If you cannot see the change … you MUST be the change!” and “You don’t “HALF-WAY” people!”

Theresa is also a wife to an extremely supportive husband who supports her (and IPWS) every step of her journey.  In addition, she is a mom to two crazy but wonderful kids that ins pire every day to be better and to do better for all. She spends her spare time exploring her new home. reading, writing and getting lots of cuddle time in with her family and the “cattiest cat” in the world, Ella.