Bold Journey: Meet Dori
In January 2025, our founder Dori sat down with Bold Journey magazine to share her remarkable path from trusted tech executive to founder of Cacica Ventures.
In this candid conversation, Dori opens up about her approach to risk-taking, her vision for building a different kind of consulting firm, the three skills that have made the biggest difference in her career, and her thoughtful strategies for navigating overwhelm.
Join us as we dive into the story of a leader who's redefining success on her own terms.
“Every time I've leaned into discomfort and taken the uncharted path, it's led me exactly where I needed to be.”
Risk-Taking as a Foundation
Dori, thank you so much for making time for us. We've always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
Risk-taking has always been a part of who I am. Growing up in Haiti, we learned early that our independence and freedom were born from the risks our ancestors took. My family has carried that legacy forward: learning new languages, building lives in foreign countries, working multiple jobs, and taking big leaps of faith for the sake of our community and future. Their sacrifices taught me that risk isn't something to fear; it's a necessary leap toward something greater.
Looking back over the last 20 years, the most pivotal moments in my life came from embracing uncertainty. I've moved to cities where I didn't know a soul, taken career detours that raised eyebrows, and challenged powerful executives to stand up for what's right. Every time, those choices—as scary as they were—brought me closer to my purpose and a deeper sense of integrity. The rewards have been unexpected and life-changing, helping me create a life that feels aligned, joyful, and successful.
One of my boldest moves came two years ago, at the height of my corporate success. Despite holding a senior role at a well-known tech company, I felt overwhelmed and unfulfilled. I'd checked all the boxes I was "supposed" to, but I was itching for the next decade of my life to be more intentional and aligned with what felt right for me. After taking a sabbatical to reconnect with childhood joys and dream big for my life, I found clarity. That pause became the foundation for Cacica Ventures—my greatest leap yet, as I left the stability of corporate life to build a new firm from scratch. Named after the indigenous leaders of the land now called Haiti, Cacica is my way of building something meaningful on my own terms.
Sure, there are days when I question my decisions. But I always come back to this truth: every time I've leaned into discomfort and taken the uncharted path, it's led me exactly where I needed to be. I'm not just better off financially—I'm thriving mentally and physically today in ways I never was before taking those leaps. To me, taking risks is about reclaiming your freedom to live authentically. I'm doing that now, and every uncertain step has been worth it.
Just like those who came before me, I want my legacy to be one of courage, resilience, and boldness—one that will inspire future generations to take their own leaps of faith in this vast, crazy, beautiful world.
Dori is pictured in front of red wall painted with “Living is Urgent” in Spanish.
The Cacica Ventures Approach
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Dori is pictured interviewing a Founder/CEO at an international Tech summit in Haiti.
After 16+ years as the trusted right hand to executives at companies like Google, Apple, and Lyft, I’ve learned that my true passion is helping leaders unlock their full potential. That’s why I founded Cacica Ventures, a boutique firm that helps ambitious leaders transform overwhelm into focused, high-impact action.
What makes our work special is our unique strategy-to-execution approach. Many consultants will hand you a beautiful roadmap and wish you luck. Not us! At Cacica, we roll up our sleeves and partner with you to execute. From planning leadership retreats and launching new products to optimizing operations and building high-performing teams, we’re with you every step of the way, turning your vision into reality.
Looking ahead, we’re expanding in exciting ways. We’re:
Launching 1:1 coaching programs to support leaders going through pivotal transitions.
Helping talented EAs and PMs step into high-impact, higher-paying roles like Chiefs of Staff.
Expanding B2B partnerships with leadership development workshops and offsite management.
Offering 1:1 coaching sessions for corporate workers who are ready to launch a side hustle or pivot into a consulting business venture.
What inspires me most is seeing our clients transform. Whether it’s a leader navigating a big scope increase and growing into their new role with confidence, a CEO reclaiming their focus and time because we’ve stepped in to help project manage their product launch and communications, or a founder finally having a clear roadmap to revenue-generating activities thanks to our guidance – these moments remind me why I chose entrepreneurship.
Dori is pictured at the 2024 AfroTech conference in Houston, TX.
Three Game-Changing Skills
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I love this question because these three skills have been game-changers for me, not just in my career but in life overall.
First is adaptability: it has been my superpower, showing up in my Strengthsfinder results repeatedly. I learned early that being able to pivot and thrive in uncertainty is essential. Whether it was moving solo to new cities, navigating different corporate cultures, or transitioning from tech executive to entrepreneur, my ability to embrace change and find opportunities in challenges has been transformative. It's about seeing setbacks as chances to evolve.
Second is resourceful problem-solving: it's about trusting that no matter the challenge, I'll figure it out—even if it's outside my current expertise. Whether managing a comms crisis at Google or leading a team through a pandemic at Lyft, I'm not afraid to tackle complex challenges because I trust my process: break the problem into smaller pieces, tap into my network for guidance, leverage tools like AI to research quickly, and iterate until I land on the solution.
The third skill is systems thinking: my mentor introduced its power while leading racial equity at Google. It's the ability to see how everything connects and understand how one piece influences the whole. Transformative change comes from recognizing and addressing these interdependencies.
For those looking to build these skills, here are some starting points:
For adaptability: Take on projects outside your comfort zone, no matter how scary. Each time you navigate uncertainty, you strengthen that muscle.
For resourceful problem-solving: Practice breaking down big challenges into smaller pieces, and cultivate a network you can learn from.
For systems thinking: Dive into some foundational reads (Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows is a great start!) and stay curious about how things connect.
Remember, the key is to start before you feel ready and learn through experience. Like any skill, they grow stronger the more you practice.
Navigating Overwhelm
Dori is pictured after tennis class with her instructor and classmate.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I’ve learned to see overwhelm as my body’s way of communicating with me. Like any signal, the key is learning to listen and interpret what it’s trying to tell you, before ‘doing’ something about it.
First, I’m big on prevention. I’ve built regular practices into my life that help keep overwhelm away as much as possible. Having a dog has been surprisingly amazing for this – those 2-3 daily walks aren’t just for her! They’re built-in breaks that get me moving, clearing my head, listening to a podcast, or catching up with a friend on a phone call. I’ve also intentionally incorporated more balance into my life: fun classes (dance, tennis, Spanish), meetups with friends, date nights with my partner, TV show binging, spa days, and extended overseas trips. These aren’t just “nice to haves” – they’re essential experiences I know bring me joy and help to counter the more intense periods of my life.
But even with good habits and healthy daily practices, overwhelm still happens. When it does, I pause and ask, “what is this feeling really trying to tell me?” Sometimes, it’s just saying “hey, you need a quick breather” or “please take a little time to organize your thoughts.” In those cases, I honor that need – take a walk, do some stretches, dump my thoughts onto a notepad, or just sit quietly with my thoughts.
Other times, though, when that feeling of overwhelm is persistent, it might be pointing to something bigger. During my corporate career, there were moments when that sustained feeling of overwhelm was actually my intuition nudging me toward bigger changes – switching roles, setting better boundaries, or eventually pursuing entrepreneurship.
The key is learning to distinguish between temporary overwhelm (which might just need a short reset) and the kind that’s signaling a need for bigger changes in your life. Both are valid – it’s just about learning to tune in, trust yourself, and honor what you truly need in that moment.
Thanks for reading!
Dori is pictured with her dog Nola while visiting Mexico City.
Dori is pictured with her niece Naïm and nephew Levi.