Women United Member Spotlight

Q: In today’s busy world, tell us one thing you do on a regular basis to ensure ‘self-care’.

A: I wake up at 4:00 am six days a week and focus on my fitness and health. It is my one time of day that is all mine to focus on me and not on the other wonderful things in my life, such as work, family and friends.

Q: Tell us about a leadership trait that you possess and why you think it’s important.

A: Empowerment! I truly enjoy empowering others to be the best version of themselves. I love the diversity of thought and problem solving that comes from empowering others and drive individual and organizational success.

Q: What is the one thing you wish you could find more time to do, and why?

A: Spending time with my kids. I have a 10-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. The constant balance of work, volunteerism, and your family is so difficult, and the mom guilt feels like it never goes away. I wish I had more time to give them, but I always try to make the best of the time we have. The pandemic did give us more time as a family and a little more balance. Being back in the office has really made me miss that time.

Q: Women United focuses on ensuring that children can be successful in school by helping to fund programs that end hunger in the classroom. How do you like to engage in making an impact?

A: My favorite activity is building backpacks or snack packs. I love it for a couple of reasons. It gives me time to focus on having a true impact on the children receiving the food and it is a great way to get my husband and kids involved in giving back to the community. If you haven’t participated, it is an amazing way to see the result of your work and get young (or older) kids involved in something so important. My daughter felt so great after volunteering, and it also gave her an appreciation for the fact that not all kids have food whenever they want. I can’t wait until we can get back to doing this activity as a family.

Q: Tell us something that most people wouldn’t know about you.

A: I grew up on a tobacco farm in southern Ohio.

Q: Share your favorite inspirational quote.

A: “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

Q: What would you like women considering joining Valley of the Sun United Way’s Women United movement to know?

A: One of the amazing things about Women United is that you get the opportunity to build relationships with other women in your community. You give only as much time as you can spare and volunteer for those things that mean the most to you. It also opens up opportunities for you to volunteer with your family, which makes it even better.

Q: So often women are humble and don’t like to share their strengths and what they love about themselves, so we are asking you to do that now!

A: I am driven and determined. When I have identified something that I want I don’t give up and I build a plan to make it happen. When faced with obstacles, I look at those as new opportunities to learn or overcome.

Q: What makes you laugh out loud?

A: My son. He is six going on 60, and he says some of the craziest and funniest things. I am either laughing at something he says or crying. There doesn’t seem to be an in-between.