I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest to a family who’s love language is food and who live for the outdoors. I’ve spent most of my career in the food and beverage industry, working in a range of roles from developing operating systems and marketing strategies for family-owned businesses, to most recently scaling a VC-funded coffee tech company from inception through product launch. With a focus on building communities and nurturing the next generation of great leaders, I also spend time mentoring Master’s students at the University of Washington in the Entrepreneurship programs.
Currently I reside in University Place, WA with my husband, new baby, 2 dogs and failed-foster cats. My hobbies include hiking and camping, as well as gardening and cooking. I have aspirations to be an urban farmer and love the game “We’re Not Really Strangers.”
My Core Values
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I believe in the power of collaboration and the strength that comes from a connected community. I actively seek to build relationships, foster inclusivity, and create a sense of belonging among all individuals I encounter. I value the diversity of perspectives and experiences, and I strive to contribute to the well-being and upliftment of my local and global communities.
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I recognize the importance of being a responsible steward of the environment. I am deeply committed to sustainability, seeking ways to minimize my ecological footprint and promote sustainable practices in all aspects of my life. Inspired by the world around us, I am driven to create impact in everything I do, nurturing a thriving planet for future generations.
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I firmly believe in the inherent potential and worth of every individual. I am dedicated to empowering others by offering support, resources, and encouragement. I strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. I actively listen, respect diverse perspectives, and work towards amplifying underrepresented voices.
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I embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and strive for excellence in everything I do. I set ambitious goals and work diligently to achieve them. I celebrate personal and collective achievements, recognizing the effort, dedication, and innovation that contribute to success. I view failures as opportunities for growth, and I embrace a lifelong journey of learning, adapting, and pushing boundaries to reach greater heights.
Be not the slave of your own past - plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with new self-respect, with new power, and with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
My Why
When I was a child, my dad worked as a surveyor for a local coal mine in Centralia, WA. I remember getting to tour the mine with my family and stand in the bottom of this giant pit watching the massive trucks haul loads of coal away. When I was 18, I went back to the mines, not as a tourist but as an environmental technician where I was in charge of taking readings of different earthen dams and water quality. The mine by that time had shut down it’s operations and was now fully focused on reclamation. I spent 3 summers trudging up and down the hillsides of that mine, not knowing how much it would change my life ( what I did know is that it was good money, helping me pay for college!)
Before my dad retired when I was in my late twenties, I had the opportunity to tour the mine once again. What was amazing about this visit was the transformation that had taken place over the years. The pit I had stood in the bottom of as a child was now nearly finished being reclaimed into a recreational lake with protected forests around it. In that moment, I recognized that change could happen in a lifetime if only we dedicated the time and resources to it.
Since then, I have tried to dedicate my career to working with mission focused organizations who are making a positive impact either in their communities and/or the environment.
