I’m originally from Wichita, Kansas, and my interest in advocacy started young—our local government stopped building sidewalks in newer neighborhoods, and I couldn’t understand how decisions like that get made. I went to Boston College and moved to NYC in June 2020, which was a wild time to arrive, but I believed New York would come back and wanted to be here for it. I began my career in public relations supporting iconic tourism and cultural institutions and helping them navigate an unprecedented moment for the city. That work evolved into neighborhood-focused projects like Business Improvement District formations and expansions, which connected me to NYC government. In 2023, I joined CMW Strategies. Today, as Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, I advise a wide range of clients—nonprofits, trade associations, and corporate and emerging technologies—through policy, legislative, regulatory, and budget processes. I’ve gotten here by staying curious and always being open to conversations.

I’m most proud of the life I’ve built in New York City as a transplant—both the community I’ve built and the work I’ve been able to do in NYC communities. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside nonprofits delivering critical services, organizations supporting arts, culture, and tourism, and industry groups navigating complex policy and regulatory challenges. I love being in a role where the work can touch everything from neighborhood vitality to the day-to-day realities of workers and small businesses. One of my proudest career moments was helping pass legislation that established overnight truck parking in Industrial Business Zones (IBZs). It created much-needed relief sites for truck drivers—spaces that are often essential for complying with federal hours-of-service rules and for improving safety and quality of life in neighborhoods. That experience reinforced why I do this work: practical policy solutions can have real, immediate impact.

Be curious, be prepared, and be a strong communicator. This field runs on relationships, so listening well and building trust matter as much as having a good argument. Learn the basics of how government works—read bills, follow hearings, understand agencies, and get comfortable with the details. Most importantly, talk to everyone. Some of the best career opportunities and guidance come from unexpected conversations—people you meet at events, colleagues in adjacent fields, or mentors you didn’t know you needed. Approach networking as learning, not pitching.

I moved to NYC in June 2020, and even in an unusually quiet moment, the city’s energy and resilience were obvious. I think I realized I was a New Yorker when the city stopped feeling like a place I was “trying out” and started feeling like home—and responsibility. It clicked when I began measuring time by neighborhood routines, not landmarks: the coffee spot I return to, the subway line I instinctively take, the friends I’ve built community with, and the local issues I care about because they affect my daily life. Working in government relations also deepened that feeling—because you’re not just observing how the city works, you’re helping shape it. And, of course, the classic moment: giving someone directions without hesitation (and having a strong opinion about the fastest route).