Musician, Author, Illustrator, and Teacher

The best stories are born from uncomfortable beginnings…

To whoever is reading this: please know that I was scared to share this part of my story, but then I thought, “No! This is important and you are here because you recognize empathy is hard to teach without going through hard stuff...I can trust you with my story.”

I am a grateful, positive person, despite experiencing many terrible things. I have lost friends and loved ones.  I've experienced an abusive relationship and rape, both more than once. Through everything, I have still tried to grow and look on the bright side. No matter how dark the moment was, I will never take for granted the resilience I’ve been graced with, the ability to find growth opportunities in defeat, and the ability to find a bright side which, coincidentally, always shone light that revealed the way out. I love helping people and try to use these experiences to help other victims. 

My life is never boring…

Me in a nutshell? Wellllllll I am a crazy cross between: 

• Hermione from Harry Potter: Proud nerd and bookworm (who could use a time turner if you happen to have one handy).

• Jessica Day from New Girl: Charmingly awkward, quirky, and yes…singing to myself.

• Throw in a little of Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec: The ultimate go-getter who cares more than anyone about the big things and the small things and everything in between…because at the root, we care about people.

• Let’s not forget Snow White: (Aside from that both she and I learned to find deep empathy and kindness in our traumatic experiences) I am amazing with children and animals.

My goal is to save the world...which isn’t easy…

But hey, I like a challenge. After everything I’ve been through, I've basically had to become my own superhero. In college, I even got the nickname "Wonder Woman".  Whenever anyone needed me, I was there! Even as a little girl, my goal has always been to help others.

I have done a lot of extraordinary things: I've traveled to over 27 countries. I've been in a professional touring choir and have sung in places like Russia, China, and Italy. I even performed in the Vatican. 

Every moment of my life, good and bad, taught me to work hard as hell. I am passionate about everything I do and have worked so hard to become the strong person I am today.

After I developed C-PTSD, I pushed myself to be a survivor. I became an advocate for mental health, education, and emotional intelligence.

Why? Because overcoming major setbacks taught me the true healing power of empathy.

How I changed my Narrative:

Sharing lessons in empathy one children’s book at a time…

There were things we never talked about at home as a kid. Things that I recognize now that would have helped me as I navigated the murky waters in my young adult life. And as a giver, an advocate, a whimsical soul, and creative writer with perspective, I found my true passion and calling when I wrote my first children’s book. 

I’m so fortunate to now share that I am a published children's author and illustrator, plus I own a business like this that helps children develop empathy without having to wade through those same “murky waters.”

Loving, intelligent, funny human with a message to share…

I am a loving, intelligent, and funny woman who has had a lot of unique life experiences. I never have just one job (ha, far from it actually!).

I am an overachiever and graduated early from high school, college, and even grad school (all of them with honors). While going to school, I also worked multiple jobs, ran two-nonprofit organizations, volunteered for numerous charities, helped write and edit a law protecting victims of human trafficking, and conducted an exploratory study in Tanzania.

Both of my parents are teachers, so I naturally fell into that lifestyle with vigor! I have taught elementary school, middle school, and college students. I have worked for nonprofits and even the corporate offices of big start-up companies like Uber and Grubhub. I am an expert on topics like business, writing, nonprofit leadership and management, international and global studies, peace studies, education, child psychology, music, and mental health. 

I am an animal lover with 2 dogs (Daisy and Nala) and 3 cats (Bubbles, Jack, and Jazz). In my “free time,” I paint, craft, and play games (board games, video games, you name it, I play it).

I am far from perfect, but perfect isn’t the goal. I measure my myself in kindness, generosity, and empathy. I always do my best to help others and become a better person. I am excited to hear how my unique lens and storytelling can help you facilitate these important conversations with your children. Please reach out and write a review to let me know what you think!