It started in a crowded convention hall at a hotel in Lewiston, Idaho.

I was new-ish to the community, with all my kids still in elementary school, when I found myself among more than 300 people gathered to weigh in on a big decision: Should the district build a new high school or remodel the old one? I hadn’t planned to speak, but after listening to testimony for over an hour, I felt the pull. I scribbled down a few notes, stepped to the mic, and shared my family’s story—why we’d moved to Lewiston, and why I believed strong schools were central to a thriving, connected community.

The next morning, I was surprised to see my remarks featured in the local newspaper. Two months later, a school board seat opened up. Several people encouraged me to apply. Again, I felt that pull—and I was appointed.

That one moment opened the door to a journey I never expected. Since then, I’ve earned a master’s in Adult Organizational Learning and Leadership from the University of Idaho, served on the executive board of the Idaho School Boards Association, led the Idaho PTA as state president, and launched The Purple Zone podcast. Today, I’m pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration at Boise State University.

At the heart of it all? A desire to speak up—not just for my own kids, but for kids across Idaho. I’ve learned that leadership often starts with a single moment of courage. And I’ve been grateful for the people I’ve met and the work we’ve done together ever since.