I grew up in Warren, Michigan as a member of a blue-collar, Big-3 family. Raised by my grandparents, I am a first-gen college attendee. I have a master's degree in Public Administration and a bachelor's degree in Writing. ​I’ve served as a mayoral appointee, led academic departments through crises, and have been recognized by the United Way as well as Crains Detroit for my fundraising efforts. ​ 

 

My call to public service came on the heels of my success in residential real estate, specifically leasing. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree, and coming from a lower-resourced family, I thought the path to happiness and success was paved with a high salary. I took several roles in residential leasing until I was a Regional Manager, traveling between Michigan and New York. In my contract, I had 90 days to bring the properties out of the red and into the yellow. In 8 weeks, I brought the properties passed yellow and into the green -- 98% occupancy (from 78%). But, as I was leaving for the airport in New York, my boss let me know that I had worked myself out of a contract and they wouldn't need my position anymore.​ 

 

On the flight home, I thought about my next steps. I was good at what I was doing, but it didn't give me the sense of pride I had hoped for. I didn't feel like I was doing anything good for the world. This was the time to make a change. I talked to my grandfather about job searching before, and his advice was to "start at the bottom and work your way up." So, I took that age-old advice and chose a nonprofit organization (the YWCA of Kalamazoo), and I applied to every single open job that I was qualified for. After more than a month of waiting, I was hired... as a receptionist... part time.  ​

 

I won't say I didn't feel a bit.. challenged.. by the minimum wage, very part-time hours, and knowing how to interact with each different person entering the organization. On my second day as a receptionist, an incident occurred in the lobby (in front of me) in which a man was attempting to kidnap a young woman's baby from her hands. I called a code and within seconds, the lobby flooded with women from every floor of the building and the situation was deescalated. As I watched the Shelter Director shunt the man over to an adjoining glass counseling room and could see his physical demeanor change,  I knew I wanted to have that kind of courage and ability to shift the mood of a situation. ​

 

Over the next five years, I dedicated my entire self to working with the clients of the organization--women who were fleeing from domestic violence, being treated for sexual assault, and their families that depended on them. I was promoted 5 times into progressively-responsible and unique roles that allowed me wide margins to learn about IT, operations, HR, social work, accreditation, children's services, and compliance. ​ 

 

Working with clients who were facing the worst days of their lives stripped my psyche bare -- everything I knew about the human condition and myself completely changed forever. I walked with women who lost everything, including children, and still had the strength to rebuild their lives. That kind of resilience in the face of immense trauma is not only inspirational, it is a daily reminder (for me) that anything is possible. ​