The Journey
After high school, I wanted to go to college so badly I could taste it, but my parents couldn’t afford it, and scholarships weren’t easy to come by. So I figured out how to do it on my own.
I joined the Navy.
What started as a practical decision became a 22-year career that shaped who I am today. I served 13 years on active duty and nine years in the Reserves, including a year of mobilization following the attacks on 9/11. During that time, I lived in several countries and gained firsthand experience with language barriers, cultural communication, leadership, and teamwork under pressure.
In my experience, no leadership or cross-cultural training program compares to a career in the United States Navy.
After leaving active duty, I became a police officer, which was a crash course in communication, conflict resolution, and calm decision-making under pressure. Three and a half years on third-shift patrol gave me a deep understanding of human behavior and the importance of responding thoughtfully during emotionally charged situations.
A few years later, I returned from deployment to join my family’s commercial construction business as the business and safety manager. My military and law enforcement background made me a natural fit for safety management, though I’ll admit my rule-following tendencies occasionally made communication “lively.”
Then came 2008. The economy was shifting, and the commercial construction industry knew it. Rather than waiting for the fallout, I decided to chart a new path.
What’s a girl to do when jobs are scarce? Buy a business, of course.
After careful research, I bought a home care franchise, grew it to more than 50 employees, and sold it in 2018. I then became a case manager supporting older adults with Medicaid and long-term care needs.
Now, do you see what I mean by eclectic?
Every one of those experiences, from the Navy to policing to business ownership to senior care and case management, strengthened my ability to navigate difficult conversations, communicate clearly during stressful situations, manage people compassionately, and make thoughtful decisions in complex circumstances.
I’ve also been a serial volunteer since my first duty station, serving in countless organizations and on multiple boards of directors. Giving back has always been part of who I am.
