I grew up in Scottsdale, moved here at 5 in 1973 and watched this small town grow into the large city it is today.  As a kid I got to play in irrigation water, signed up for all the Parks and Rec summer camps, joined the Eldorado Park swim team, and was at the very first Might Mud Mania.  I noticed all the adults there making sure we had a good time and kept us safe and always wanted to work for Parks and Rec when I got older.  I did live the dream being a lifeguard one summer!

In high school I joined PEOPLE training and learned how to work with students with disabilities and my volunteering took off from there.  I knew it takes a community to make a great place to live and I loved being able to do my small part to bring that about.

I was lucky that I was able to be a “stay home (never home)” mom and donated my time, talent and treasure in every aspect of our schools and district.  I served in many leadership positions, one where I was able to create a sister school program to bring the north and south school communities together. Met many of my lifelong friends working side by side for the kids.

I was in National Charity League, a mother daughter volunteering organization where I also took on many leadership roles. Each volunteering opportunity gave me training, organizational skills, and allowed me to  collaborate with many types of people; every experience gave back to me more than I ever gave.

Currently:

I recently served as President of Desert Foundation Auxiliary a 55 year old organization that helps smaller local charities get a start by holding  a cotillion ball recognizing young women from Scottsdale. I was unlucky in that I served 2020/2021 and instead of planning an event reworked the operational parts, bringing them current while keeping traditions.  I am proud that our choice charity still received the donation thanks to the membership.  I thought I had experienced everything in my 25 plus years volunteering but as we all found out, you are always going to learn more.

I am a graduate of Class 34 of Scottsdale Leadership and serve on the Board.

I am a mentor for Kids in Focus, a program helping kids learn to see the world in a different way through photography and mentorship.  I also will be a 2022 Trendsetter this year, a shock but honor for me to participate in.

WC was of interest to me because of the women I saw who were a part of it. These were women I admired and knew whatever they did was above and beyond.  Meeting with Board Members, I learned more of what the purpose was and I was sold.  Women get things done, and our City needs so much yet shockingly the organizations assigned to major rolls in town were all for men.  I love the fact that this is being developed to give women a seat at the Scottsdale table.  I hope some of my skill set can help develop programs and events to make us an indispensable part of what makes Scottsdale great.