How have your life experiences impacted who you are professionally? I served in the US Army so I think that a lot of experiences from that time carried over into my civilian career. During my time in service in order to complete a mission, I had to adjust the plan based on the different personalities I was working with. Similarly in my profession, you have to interact with many different types of people in order for a project to be completed successfully. 

How do you contribute to your community or your profession? I enjoy giving back by service to the community with my son, who is currently a middle schooler. Pre-COVID, we served meals at a soup kitchen in Lawrence called Bread & Roses. The experience not only helps my son to learn the importance of sharing your time with others, but it helps me to realize that everyone has a story. So many good people are on hard times at various stages in their lives and getting a chance to talk and share experiences in that environment can benefit both you and the person you’re serving.

Who or what inspires you? I am inspired by other women who I have either gone to school with or who work alongside me. I gain strength by watching their achievements and realizing that there is not much that can hold us back if we are willing to work hard and not let society set limits on our potential. 

What advice can you offer to someone who is interested in a career in your industry? I would say to find someone very experienced in whatever interests you and learn from them. The knowledge that I gain from talking with people who have spent years in the industry is what helps drive my decisions and can sometimes prevent me from making mistakes that I never would have anticipated.