Living with intention has always been one of my core values, and it’s what led me to a career in Parks and Recreation. Recreation has had a profound impact on my life. I found mentors on youth sports teams, learned resilience through shared challenges, and built a strong sense of community. Access to the outdoors also played a huge role in shaping my confidence and independence. I started working as a youth sports official in my hometown of Richland, Washington, while still in high school. From there, I continued coaching, volunteering, and eventually expanded into outdoor recreation, special events, and facility management.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked in private, nonprofit, and public recreation, but public recreation has always felt the most meaningful. It offers a unique opportunity to bridge gaps and foster connections across a community. Today, I bring that same mindset to my work in the Community Development Department for the City of Montrose, where I focus on placemaking, public space improvements, and small business support. Although the work may look a little different, the mission remains the same: to help communities thrive by creating spaces where people feel welcome, connected, and inspired.
As an MRD board member, my goal is to contribute both my practical experience as a former recreation professional and my educational background in recreation, communications, and public administration. I know what it’s like to work in the field, and I’m passionate about supporting staff while helping amplify the positive impact MRD has in the community. I hold a B.A. in Recreation with a minor in Communication from Western Washington University and a Master of Public Administration from Adams State University. Outside of work, I love trail running, spending time with my dogs, cats, and overly socialized flock of birds, and am rarely without a good audiobook queued up.