Hartford is my hometown. I attended our public schools, and have worked with many of the organizations across sectors addressing critical needs within the community. I am proud to know the unique strengths and beauty we have here and am deeply committed to fighting to maintain that for the generations ahead.
My career path has taken me from frontline social services/crisis intervention, to program development for youth and families, and has evolved into my current work in restorative justice which aims to bring together justice system stakeholders, educators, and practitioners to create pathways for accountability, healing, and meaningful dialogue—bringing people together to solve problems in ways that strengthen relationships rather than divide them.
I also serve as a board member for the Hartford Community Restorative Justice Center, the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and as a commissioner for the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs.
Through these different roles and experiences, it’s always been important to me to be a part of work that prioritizes the needs and voices of those carrying the heaviest burden from inequity, and this would continue to be a north star for me working in Montpelier.
I care deeply about my Indigenous heritage and am involved in several projects with other tribal members around language revitalization and oral history collection. I love spending days with my hands in the dirt gardening, walking with my dog along the Connecticut River, or sitting in our yard watching my husband play guitar for our 14 chickens. And my greatest sense of purpose was born just over a year ago—his name is Myles and I’ve never been so grateful to be so exhausted in my life. Parenthood is a transformative journey that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”
Leadership, to me, is about more than goals—it’s about the values and approach behind them. What truly drives change isn’t just what we say, but how we show up and act. I often find myself drawing lessons from the natural world, and one that’s been especially present lately when I think about leadership comes from watching geese migrate overhead.
Geese fly farther and more efficiently together, taking turns leading and supporting one another along the way. No single bird carries the burden the whole time—they rotate, honk to stay connected, and move as a group. It’s a simple but powerful reminder: we’re strongest when we share responsibility, the success of the group depends on every member being involved, and we only go as far as we can sustain going together.