About Me

I was born and raised in the Milwaukee area, a second generation school counselor, and a third generation educator.  I loved my college experience at the University of Wisconsin Madison, where I earned a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and was a member of the University of Wisconsin Dance Team.  I am still an avid Badger fan, and visit Madison regularly!

After completing my bachelor's degree, I was ready to get out of the chilly Midwest, and decided to attend the University of San Diego.  I received my master's degree in Counseling, and lived and worked in San Diego for 5 years.  I enjoyed the fitness, food, and outdoor scene of southern California, and became a dog owner of our puggle Lambeau!  I also met my husband Ryan, who came to San Diego from Berkeley, CA to train at the Olympic Training Center in javelin.

Our family now resides in Greendale, WI.  We have two young (and very active) sons, who love rock music and playing soccer in our backyard.  I enjoy spending time with my family, taking dance and workout classes, traveling to the Pacific Northwest (Ryan's childhood home!), and making the most of the wonderful Wisconsin summers.

I have been fortunate to work in a number of different types of educational institutions and communities, serving students and families through my role as a school counselor.

As a graduate student researcher, I worked with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, and conducted research interviewing families of wounded warriors.  With the large military population in San Diego, I learned about the complex range of experiences facing military families, and also began my first counseling position at an all boys military boarding school called Army Navy Academy, located in beautiful Carlsbad, California.  I was hired by the University of California San Diego (UCSD) as an application reader, and enjoyed working in admissions to understand the holistic review process and the UC system.

Inspired by the college access program AVID, I went on to work at the O'Farrell Charter School in southeast San Diego, and built a counseling program to support the high school's first ever graduating class.  Promoting access to college became part of who I am through the amazing students and staff at O'Farrell!  We launched the first ever "College Signing Day", and celebrated many our students becoming the first in their family to attend college.

Back home in the Midwest, I worked for 6 years as a school counselor at a high school in Mequon, Wisconsin, and had the pleasure of supporting many of the most academically tenacious students I've ever known.  I enjoyed getting to know my families in Mequon, and personally supported over 700 students through their college application and matriculation process.  I enjoyed coaching the Homestead Varsity Dance team for 6 years, and am a lover of dance!