I grew up in the Lehigh Valley of eastern Pennsylvania. My first career was in marketing and sales. After being in the business world for six years, I decided to take a break from the east coast and moved to the mountains of Colorado for two years. During this time, I realized I wanted a career that would educate and advocate for people. My sister had just graduated from nursing school and loved what she was doing. She convinced me to go back to school for nursing. To me it seemed like a calling more than a decision. I would be following in the footsteps of my mother, aunt, sister and friends.

Initially my desire was to educate patients about their healthcare. However, after several years in healthcare, I observed how much the patients’ mental state and approach affected their physical recovery and overall health. I knew that I wanted to be involved in affecting changes in the brain and thinking of patients to improve their outcomes.

My approach to implementing brain changing techniques is through the practice of yoga. The connection between breath, movement and calming your mind makes sense to me. I am excited to share my background in yoga and my trauma-informed yoga training with the participants of Sierra Hotel DD214. Thank you to all of our military veterans. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.

I am married, the mother of 4 children, and currently living in Stillwater, Minnesota. The newest joy in my life is my two young granddaughters.

Until 2020, I was a full-time, stay-at-home mom, then my sister-in-law and I teamed up to challenge ourselves. After meeting fellow board member, Ron Perry, the three of us completed two residential renovations in the Cincinnati area. We are currently involved in working on family investments properties in Colorado, Minnesota, and the Dominican Republic.

My father was an Air Force veteran, and two of my sons are actively serving in the US Army. Our family's patriotism motived me to help establish Sierra Hotel for DD214's in order to give back to those who have served and sacrificed so much.

As an Air Force veteran of 27 years, multiple deployments and an active civilian career, I know first hand what it is for my fellow service members to struggle after coming back home.

Being a part of this great organization allows me to keep a pulse on what issues other veterans face as well as participate in helping to bring them solutions.