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Why do you want to serve on a St. Anthony Village Commission?* Local government service is in my blood. I grew up in Long Hill Township–a small township in New Jersey where both my grandfather and uncle served as the Chiefs of Police, and my uncle continues to serve as a township administrator. My father was a police officer there and my grandmother guarded a school crossing on the same corner for more than 30 years. When she retired, they named the street for her. My family moved to Minnesota from Tucson, Arizona last year. I immediately fell in love with Saint Anthony Village because of the small-town similarities to Long Hill Township. Since moving here, I have been welcomed by neighbors, community leaders and friends and would love to give back to the town. Professionally, I bring local government experience and knowledge to bring to the commission. I have served as a local government advocate, employee and customer. I worked for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and as their legislative liaison, analyzed legislative impacts to municipalities and communicated concerns to State legislators. One of the most contentious and hard fought issues during my three years with the League was over local government’s ability to exercise eminent domain, which required working with planning directors from around the state to educate legislators on this topic. Additionally, for three years I worked as a communications manager for the Town of Sahuarita, Arizona. In this position, I worked with town staff, elected officials and commissions to increase public involvement and engagement. I left the position to start my own government and public relations consulting firm where I worked with a land use developer and the state multihousing association to advocate for their projects. I would like to serve on the planning commission because I am passionate and interested in the role local government plays in people’s lives. The planning commission is especially important, as it shapes the health, diversity, sustainability and look of a city for generations to come. Please list your prior experience serving on a Board, Commission, etc.* In 2013, shortly after completing my MBA at the University of Arizona, my 18-month old child, Jude, was diagnosed with leukemia. While I have served in a variety of organizational leadership and volunteer roles, the most important job I have served in was that of “Momcologist” - a term for a parent whose role shifts to relentless advocacy for a child battling cancer. Jude relapsed three times. I juggled medication schedules, chemotherapy, radiation and more than 300 days in the hospital. Jude and I crossed the country to participate in two groundbreaking clinical trials. Today Jude is a thriving 11-year old at St. Anthony Middle School. Advocating for Jude and managing his years-long battle with leukemia, forced me to step away from professional life and while there is a gap in my board and commission service, the experience of learning complicated medical protocols, giving voice to a child who had none while working with medical teams, insurance companies and limited-space trial facilitators helped me hone my communication, advocacy and quick decision making skills. My experience with Jude has driven me to give back to help other children impacted by blood cancers. To that extent, I serve as a nationwide ambassador with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Dare to Dream Project, which is raising $175 million specifically for children’s cancer research, support and advocacy. In this role, I speak publicly and advocate with elected officials in support of better treatment options for childhood cancers. I have personally raised more than $75,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Service: Green Valley-Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce, Board member - 2008 Innovation Academy Parent Teacher Organization, Board member - 2018 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Dare to Dream Ambassador - 2021 - present