Creative and compassionate, the words that best describe me are a combination of nature and nurture. Born and raised in Salisbury, North Carolina, with the juxtaposition of my parents from Philadelphia. As the youngest of four, I developed a keen sense of observation and an empathetic soul for listening, helping, and bridging the gaps that divide people. My unquenchable thirst for learning and drive to create connections for a social impact. Here is my story.

As a teenager, I experienced my parents' divorce when it was far less common than it is today. This fueled my motivation to change the trajectory of my future to explore more of the world. At 16, I moved hours away to attend the North Carolina School of Science and Math in Durham where I met some my dearest friends to this day. Go Unicorns! (our real mascot)

Later, I earned a B.A. in Design from North Carolina State University. After graduation, not knowing what to do with my life, I waited tables in London, and one fateful day, I learned about Occupational Therapy (OT), an Allied Health Profession helping people of all ages become more independent in their work, play, and self-care activities of daily living. Eventually, I earned a Master of Science in OT from UNC Chapel Hill. If you are from NC, you will appreciate that my degrees came from universities with intense rivalries. Go Wolfpack, Go Tarheels

In June 1996, I married into the military life, dropped off my Marine to deploy overseas for six months, and cried as I drove the 3 hours to attend my OT graduation ceremony. Little did I know, I was about to embark on the most extraordinary adventure of my life. Some people might assume that I knew what I was getting into… Um, I had no real clue.

Fortunately, I satisfied my passion for travel and exploration to experience over 50 countries on 6 continents in 20 years.

Seeking a sense of purpose, I pursued GROWTH - personal, professional, and spiritual, in order to becme a world-class packing and logistics coordinator, made incredible friends around the globe, and landed in Colorado (with a breath-taking view of the Rocky Mountains)

Writing in my journal, working on books and moving forward, Midlife Connection Podcast, and UX Design adventures were born out of a desire to be brave, walk in faith, and model for my children what it means to step way out of a comfort zone to both stimulate my creativity and maintain my sanity during an unprecedented and crazy year (2020)!