(1) Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Maine. I moved to Pittsburgh a little over six years ago, and I love it here.  I love to volunteer and to help people connect to other people, groups, or volunteering opportunities.   I love cooking (for the most part), I have a penchant for cheesy jokes—the dorkier, the better.  I love the outdoors and traveling whenever I can.  Nothing out of the ordinary here.

(2) What caused you to get involved with Midwife Center, Planned Parenthood of Western PA, and WYEP; and what is it about the organization that keeps you coming back?
I sit on a few nonprofit boards.  The Midwife Center, Planned Parenthood of Western PA, and WYEP for example.  I love the mission of each of these three organizations and really see where I can help those groups achieve their goals.  I got involved because I am passionate about women’s health and rights, and protecting those rights.  It has been so eye opening for me over the years to volunteer with Planned Parenthood as a citizen, and also help the organization as a board member and to see how things work at the policy level.  I love WYEP and listen in everyday.  I think it’s important, if you use something like public radio, to help support the mission by becoming a member. I was asked to join an advisory board, and then later, the full board. It has been so amazing for me to see the inner-workings of a radio station dedicated to the community. I love it.

(3) Describe how a mentor or someone you look up to has helped you mold your life.
I’ve had a few key people over the years help me in shaping who I am today. An English Professor at my undergraduate school led me to become more interested in women’s studies, which lead to me actively seeking out volunteering for organizations that helped women.  Two married couples guided me in my younger years to appreciate healthy living, the outdoors, and valuing education and continuous learning.

(4) What makes you happy?
My friends make me happy.  All the projects I work on I am surrounded by friends who want to make a positive change, too.  I laugh a lot every day.  I wouldn’t be where I am without my friends.

(5) If you had $1million, what would you do with it?
I want to start a foundation that supports people in breaking off from the cycle of poverty.  Were I able to start a foundation, it would not be handholding or just giving money away.  I’ve been fortunate enough to work at Coro Center for Civic Leadership and the methodology I’ve learned there will forever inform how I tackle problems and how I insert myself into a group trying to solve problems.  Breaking out of the cycle of poverty is not easy—it’s a slow process that takes the efforts of many people, including those with the desire to live better.

(6) What type of music do you listen to, and what song will make you get up and dance?
I love music! It doesn’t take much to get me dancing around.  My roommate Courtney is in a band called The Patterson Players and whenever they perform, I just have to dance.  Michael Jackson is also a long-time favorite.

(7) What are 3 things we would find in your refrigerator?

1) milk. My boyfriend and roommate stay away from milk, but I just can’t get enough.
2) spinach…we eat a lot of spinach at my house
3) chia seeds.  These things are amazing.

(8) What has made you as successful as you are?

The people in my life have helped me by opening my eyes to new experiences, connecting me to people and projects that add up to the life-experiences necessary to be impactful in my community.  I work hard—something that I observed from people in my life.  I’ve helped others, and that willingness to help others really has brought me to where I am now.  I put myself out there and try to follow up with people most of the time so that I feel I’ve built a reputation as someone that works hard, thinks creatively, thinks big picture, can implement a plan, and when forced to, will also think linearly.  And, hey, I also bring a pocketful of dorky jokes with me, too…but I don’t know how much that has helped…

(9) How do you define success?

Success can definitely be defined by meeting the bottom line: meeting the goals or objectives of the project, advancing.  I definitely agree with that.  There is also an overarching definition of success that comprises my morals and values and that is more along the lines of feeling proud of the work I put into something, whether it be big or small, and not having compromised my morals in the process, and making sure I took something positive away from the experience and also hoping that I helped someone in the process.

(10) Any decisions that you’ve made that you’ve regretted?

Oh yes. For sure.  You can’t live for too long without making some mistake.  Now, will I disclose some of those regrets? That’s another question!

(11) What do you like to do on the weekend?

I like to go on day trips, I actually love grocery shopping, I tend to cook more on the weekends, and this is also my time to catch up with friends and family, so I tend to make phone calls and go out to dinner or the movies.  I also love having people over at my house.  I’m also usually working on a project or two, so weekends are a great way to get things done.  I love weekends.

(12) What is your ideal vacation?

A mixture of physical activity like hiking, eating great food from that particular area, site-seeing, and if the spot is warm, going to the beach of course—but only for a little while.  I’m definitely not a beach bum.  I’m going to Mexico for the first time ever in March, so I look forward to doing all of these things!

(13) What were some of your favorite childhood memories?

Playing tennis with my brother Eddie,

Watching basketball with my sister, Kim and my dad and having no idea what was going on, but only caring if the Celtics won…

Going to my grandmother’s house for the weekend with my sister

(14) Do you have any superstitions?

No, but upon reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao I do try to avoid fukus.

(15) How would your best friend describe you?

Very people oriented, helpful, I hope funny, full of life, sometimes stretched thin or over-committed, busy, inquisitive, sincere.