Personal Life and Interests

I was born in Kansas, however have spent the majority of my time in Colorado. I have lived in six different states, with Illinois and Colorado being among my favorites.  

I started out thinking that I would be a teacher and redirected into technology, obtaining two Bachelor degrees in Elementary Education and Management Information Systems.  After earning my two bachelor degrees, from University of Dayton in Ohio and Mississippi State University in Mississippi, I moved to Illinois. While in Illinois, I gained an extended family, began running, and went skydiving. I have run the Chicago Marathon twice. In Colorado, I began volunteering with professional organizations such as local chapters of PMI and Toastmasters, school PTA/PTOs, and local organizations such as Leadership Douglas County in  Castle Rock. As part of the 2019 class of Leadership Douglas County, we raised $26,000 to benefit SECOR Cares and the many families that the organization serves. 

I was St. Jude Hero in 2024 and ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I raised $1300 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I ran the week before I turned 49. My last marathon!

As part of Team in Training, I raised $3000 for  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) and trained for the 2006 Bank of America Chicago marathon. While training was very hard on my body due to IT Band issues, I completed the marathon on my 31st birthday and in under 7 hours with the support of friends and family. 

A few coworkers had the idea to skydive so we did.  In 2006, along with family and friends, I jumped from a plane and pulled the parachute cord. Safely landing with the assistance of my tandem partner.