Though in no way did I make it this far on my own, I do believe I worked hard to get where I am today. I have consciously challenged every statistic and expectation that has been spoken about who I was supposed to become, having grown up in an impoverished, single-parent home. I have used my fierce, yet gentle nature to fight for myself and my potential and because of that, I think I have been able to channel that mindset into fighting for the potential in others.

I love to serve my community and people in general. I spent six years working in healthcare prior to transitioning to my current role in urban development and community building. I have a passion for elevating underserved groups whether that be for my job or through the non- profit organization my husband and I founded and lead called Live Full. My family is my biggest motivator and my greatest desire is to see them win and flourish. I believe that life is not just about me and what I can accomplish but more so what God can do through me.

The best advice I’ve ever received is to always have integrity and to become the woman the little girl inside of me would look up to. Following this advice has helped me make the best decisions for the best interest of myself without negatively impacting those around me.

When people land a job or get the resources they need to succeed in life. To be able to brainstorm with business owners and the light bulb comes on, that brings me great joy! I am a master networker. I love connecting people and resources to get people what they need.

I strive to be the best aunt ever. And not just the aunt who lets them stand on my new white sofa or has the best craft projects planned for them (which of course I do) but the aunt who is kind and makes them feel seen and known. Spending time with them recenters me, wears me out and reminds me of what is important.

I feel proud when I get letters from parents telling me what a difference Special Care has made in their lives. I feel proud when children accomplish things that were said to be impossible!

I am proud of the bridges I have built between urban and rural Oklahoma through my work as an academic, member of the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, member of the Oklahoma Humanities Council and owner of a medical clinic that seeks to serve rural populations as well. I am particularly proud of being mother to a courageous, confident and resilient 18-year old daughter.

I care more about how I make clients feel than how much I am paid. I listen, soak it all in and execute. I feel like I am a great business owner and my customers actually mean so much to me. Treating people as I desire to be treated may sound cliché but it’s what separates me from others.

I would love for all teachers—because they spend more time with our children than us—to receive a significant salary increase. I would want all children in public schools to have equal access to superb teachers, a fantastic education, supplies/books, sports and extracurriculars and nutritious meals. I do not want food or money to be a barrier for a great education or access to team sports, which strengthens leadership skills, teamwork, confidence and social skills.

The human mind is more powerful than we know. Your subconscious brain doesn’t know the difference in what is real and what isn’t. That’s why our capabilities are truly endless if we believe we are capable.

In marriage, the husband and wife have the power to create the biggest wounds or be the biggest champions for one another. Be careful that you speak only the words that you want to keep around, because they will stay around.

Seeing the people in front of you! It is so easy to be swept away in the busyness of life and not hear one another’s stories. I am also guilty of this, but every time I put my phone down and listen to the beautiful people around me, I hear what they love and what they are passionate about and I’m so grateful I listened. It is such a gift to make connections with others!

I am proud of my healing journey from the traumatic and adverse experiences I have had in life. I’m grateful that in seasons in which I was ready to give up, I continued to persevere. I celebrate that out of an overflow of my healing journey, I can uplift and encourage others in their journey. I am proud of how I live each day to the fullest.

My parents died when I was young and I was on my own at 16. I didn’t learn a lot of coping or life skills. Everything ends up being learned the hard way. But it does give you the ability to just jump in and say let’s do it.

I’m really passionate about everyday people understanding the importance of art and design and the impact it has on their lives. The average person doesn’t seem to understand the value of art and design and how it really does surround them anywhere and everywhere they are. So, I hope to continue to be an advocate for art and design by being an active artist/designer in this community, and supporting/promoting others in these fields as well.

I want to be able to educate the community on finances, credit and buying a home. I want to continue to help women-owned businesses through our credit union efforts.

One of the biggest obstacles in my life is being the first person in my family to break the cycles of addiction, poverty, abuse and brokenness and trusting God and myself with each next right step. I’m currently working on myself so I can be the mom my three girls need in this season.

I get really proud of myself when I accomplish a goal that someone doubted about me and that I was able to prove them wrong. In the professional world, I’ve had people look at me differently just by the way that I look, and I love when I prove them wrong on their personal biases that they may or may not realize.

I was forced to face my own mortality at a young age. While challenging in multiple ways, this allowed me to view other obstacles as challenges I could overcome eventually.

Too many women shame themselves surrounding health or are lonely through letting go of a community because of the global pandemic.