Currently, I am pursuing a PhD in Public Policy and Administration at Boise State University. This challenging program allows me to delve deeply into the intricacies of leadership and policymaking, with a distinct focus on their impacts on our communities, and the public and nonprofit sectors. Before earning my PhD, I completed a Masters in Adult Organizational Learning & Leadership, aligning with my conviction that leadership should prioritize our shared humanity. My graduate studies involved an intriguing exploration of a community troubled with incivility and then looked at the ways we could overcome that by fostering heart-centered communication and intention. And I incorporate all that I learned into the ways I help organizations navigate similar challenges.

I hosted the Our Kids Our Schools, which connected school communities for two years with thoughtful conversations and practical strategies. Now, the podcast has evolved into The Purple Zone, expanding its focus beyond education to explore how public policy shapes the systems that impact our daily lives—from schools to communities and beyond.

Each episode dives deep into real-world issues, breaking down complex policies and highlighting the human stories behind them. The Purple Zone is more than a podcast—it’s a platform for honest dialogue and actionable insights that empower you to engage with the systems shaping our future.

I worked with the Idaho Adoption Coalition to help their organization focus their mission and get at the heart of the intent for their group. I helped facilitate community outreach, connected conversations and spoke out for changes in legislation. I've had the privilege of collaborating with education leaders, infusing renewed value into public engagement and fostering a climate of acceptance for divergent viewpoints and conflict. This process is a testament to the transformative power of embracing change, opening dialogues, and navigating disagreement, ultimately molding a more diverse, inclusive, and resilient educational environment.

I started an Instagram series to give teenagers a voice, to invite them to the table and allow them to share their perspective. Through my own family’s communication challenges, I’ve created a set of assessments and tools that allow families to come together and truly hear one another.

As past president of Idaho PTA, I led the organization through a period of renewal—rebuilding its foundation, refocusing its mission, and setting it on an upward, forward-moving path. My PTA leadership experience began as a local unit president at a Title 1 school serving students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. There, I navigated the complexities and opportunities of diverse communities, championing strategies that supported student success and family engagement. Today, as Idaho PTA’s Director of Public Policy, I leverage this experience to advocate for policies that uplift all Idaho children and strengthen the vital connections between families, educators, and school leaders.

I served for 4 years as a school board director and saw the need for balanced governance in our local school system. I didn’t sit back and complain behind closed doors. I created a professional development program for the school board and its members. And I worked closely with them in assessing the milestones the program needed to face.