I was born in Phoenix (not far from where I live now) but was also lucky to live in Colorado, Oregon and Washington while growing up. 

 

Some of my first jobs were working in after-school care programs, and I continue to be passionate about providing creative, nurturing, and educational activities for Arizona’s youth. I've served as a volunteer mentor for Free Arts of Arizona for Abused Children for over a decade, providing intentional art activities that promote safety, self-expression, skill-building, and self-efficacy. I recently joined the board for Read Better Be Better, an incredible organization that provides literacy programs pairing young readers with teen leaders to provide critical reading skills and promote a love of reading.

 

I am a proud journalism graduate from the University of Arizona (Bear down!), where I was a reporter and editor for the Daily Wildcat, and chair of the student-run nonprofit, Camp Wildcat, promoting higher education through camps for students in Title 1 schools.

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After college, I was a reporter in southeast Arizona for the Sierra Vista Herald until moving back to the Valley in 2009, transitioning into a public relations and marketing career.

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I am currently the Communications Manager for United Food Bank, which provides food assistance through over 150 agencies and programs in the East Valley and eastern Arizona. Using my skills in the non-profit sector has been a dream come true for me! 

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I live in Phoenix with my husband Andrew, our two dogs, and our newborn, Ada. In my spare time, you can find me catching up on my favorite YouTube channels, reupholstering Victorian loveseats, at the Farmer's Market, pretending to be a contestant on the Great British Bake Off, or going on walks with my daughter.