I’ve lived in Oak Park most of my life. I graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School. I attended Emerson Jr. High and Ascension Elementary School.

When my spouse and I sold our Great Harvest Bread Co in Palos Park, we made a conscious decision to move back to Oak Park to raise our children here. We both knew that we wanted to live in a community where values of equity and inclusion were shared. We wanted to be near family. For nearly 20 years, we’ve lived in the same two-flat I grew up in. My children have been able to share their daily lives with their grandparents, much the same way I did growing up. My grandmother lived on the top floor then - my parents live on the top floor now.

I’ve committed my adult life to supporting my community through service. I began my early career in higher education student affairs, devoting my studies and my professional life to leadership development. And I’ve carried that foundation with me in every job, volunteer activity, or career step I’ve made.

My volunteer and civic commitments include serving as past Chair of Oak Park’s Liquor Commission Review Board; I was one of the founding board members of the Berwyn Public Art Initiative, and a past Board Member for the Oak Park Art League. I’ve volunteered as a small business coach for then Bethel New Life’s West Side small business incubator, and I’ve volunteered and taught sessions for the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago. I’ve worked locally (not all at once) for the Wednesday Journal, the OPRF Chamber of Commerce, and Beyond Hunger.

I currently work full-time in nonprofit communications for an organization focused on food justice and climate action. When I say I love my job - I mean it. I serve as an Auxiliary Board Member for Beyond Hunger, and I’m the current President of PFLAG Oak Park Area.

Being a Village of Oak Park Trustee feels like a natural next step in serving my community, helping to elevate our community's creativity and diversity - supporting our small businesses and working with neighbors to bring us together.

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