Who We Are

I am proud to be a wife and mother of four and an education researcher with a local university. I hold a deep and abiding faith as a Christian who has served with my church for my entire adult life. In addition, I am a veteran K-12 educator with 10 years experience spanning Missouri and two other states (Texas, and Utah). Twice, I have found myself faced with experiences which forced a personal reckoning with identity and race. In my twenties, I lost my mother to suicide, which today brings me a unique understanding of mental health services and the need for social-emotional learning. Later, in 2016, the son of a close family friend and a Black young man from my Sunday School class was shot and killed by a police officer. This experience forced a journey of inquiry and forgiveness that shapes my work today. 

I don’t believe anyone is ever “woke.” I believe our Maker has set us on a common journey through life that we may learn to love as we are loved. I also believe that as we bring our party affiliation, beliefs, and cultures to the table and as we recognize and value these differences as part of our civil process, together we are able to find nuanced and comprehensive solutions. My goal as president of Francis Howell Forward is to both center the voices of marginalized people and build unity in our community.​

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, the product of Private Catholic schools. I am grateful for the education I received, but I grew to have a belief that my children should receive a public school education. I moved to St. Charles County in 2008 specifically for the highly rated Francis Howell School District. I am a wife and mother to three children who all attend schools in the district. We have navigated the challenging and emotional journey of having children with Dyslexia and ADHD and witnessed the love and support that the educators and staff have for our children, working tirelessly to ensure they have the tools and supports they need to be successful.

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I have also worked in the financial sector for 25 years. I met our internal leadership members over the last two years at our school board meetings through my work with the Missouri Equity Education Partnership.

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I am excited to come to the table with an open heart and mind, to find our commonalities, to listen, to celebrate our different experiences, and to move forward to create a more inclusive community.

I grew up in Virginia, where I received an amazing public education. Education is in my blood. My mother taught HS Earth Science and Biology for 30 years and my sister is a HS science teacher. My husband and I moved to the area for what was intended to be a temporary job assignment. 20 years later, we have two children (classes of ‘21 and ‘24) who have attended all levels of school in the district, from Parents as Teachers and Early Childhood all the way through high school. Our time in FHSD has been very positive and we have always found teachers and staff who supported our children’s individual needs.

I am a career IT Project Manager and work supporting large transformative projects. I love my work and take great pleasure in solving complex problems and navigating challenging teams, always with a smile on my face! I believe in the power of hard work, communication, and a positive attitude.

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​I recently ran for the FHSD Board, desiring to give back to the district and to ensure that all students continued to receive a quality education. I am a strong supporter of marginalized groups, especially our LGBTQIA+ community. National agendas and culture wars are making life harder for those folks here in Missouri, which is of deep concern to me.

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​While the election didn’t tip my way, it brought me to get to know the amazing women who run Francis Howell Forward. I am thrilled to now join with this group to advocate for equity and inclusion in our school community.

I grew up in Illinois just across the Mississippi river from Saint Charles, so moving back to the region from Ohio in 2015 felt like coming home. As a graduate from a very small, rural public high school, I understood the limited access to resources that I desired in my education. In college, I studied Fashion Design, graduating with my Bachelors in 2008, and have since worked as an apparel designer in the global industry with various major retail brands. My roles allowed me access to travel the world, working alongside a talented & diverse workforce. It has also given me a deep understanding of the global supply chain and the complex challenges our future generations will face in solving problems created by those before them.

As a mother who lives with Bipolar 1 Disorder and knowing my past traumas led to my illness, I am passionate about supporting social emotional learning and fighting the stigma of physical health diagnoses. Every family has struggles. I am no stranger. However, I also know that these struggles are not equal and that my access to resources has allowed my management and hope for recovery. My hope with Francis Howell Forward is that by highlighting the truth in history and the current challenges we face, we will build a future that all our children are allowed to thrive in.