Born and raised in the Mid-Ohio Valley, I learned early on the value of community—neighbors helping neighbors, workers standing together, and families doing everything they can to build a better future. Now living in my hometown of Vienna, I have proudly called District 11 home for three decades. After graduating from the public school system, I earned my undergraduate degree from West Virginia University at Parkersburg while working in the service industry and volunteering throughout the community.

     Public service has always been important to me because I believe giving back is one of the strongest ways we can build a better future for West Virginia. Whether through the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, the Parkersburg Art Center, PKB Pride, or Planned Parenthood, I have always believed that public service means showing up for your community. I believe in supporting the arts, investing in local organizations, and respecting the right of individuals to make their own medical decisions alongside their healthcare providers. My path has not always been straightforward. Like many West Virginians, I have faced sharp turns and difficult moments along the way.

     I originally planned to become a teacher before eventually shifting my focus to psychology and mental health services. Today, I work in the mental health field helping families whose children face severe emotional and behavioral challenges access the services they need to remain healthy, safe, and supported. I have worked with families fighting to keep their children safe at home while navigating overwhelming emotional and financial stress. That work has given me a deep appreciation for the resilience of West Virginian families and the importance of making sure no one feels forgotten or left behind.

     My family’s roots in the Mid-Ohio Valley go back over 10 generations, and I carry those roots with pride. Growing up, I listened to my grandfather speak about the dignity of work and the importance of workers standing together. As a union representative for employees at Johns Manville, he taught our family the importance of unions, fairness, and protecting working people. His example shaped my values, and it is why I will always support unions and the right of workers to organize.

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