“Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better more interesting place.” Captain Raymond Holt

A river with calm blue water, surrounded by lush green trees and a partly cloudy sky with white clouds and blue patches, and two small boats visible in the distance.

About Me

I grew up in Northwest Indiana, splitting my time between LaPorte and Rochester. I was raised by parents who worked hard and leaned on their community to make things work. My mom and bonus dad worked factory jobs, sometimes on opposite shifts, and like many families, we relied on our village: family, friends, and coworkers. I would spend an afternoon shift at the factory, have a co-worker take me to Grandma’s house afterwards, and Mom would pick me up in the morning to drive me an hour to school. Those early experiences taught me the value of showing up for each other and the quiet strength of working families.

During the financial crisis, my family experienced firsthand how quickly stability can disappear. When Bowne, a printing company in South Bend, shut down, I saw how even families who do everything right, working hard, showing up, and playing by the rules, can be turned upside down. That experience stayed with me. It taught me how fragile the economy can be, and how important it is to have leaders who understand the real consequences of economic decisions on everyday people.

I started working young. My first job was at Dairy Queen, and as soon as I was old enough, I became a lifeguard at the YMCA. I stayed involved through things like 4-H, sports, and clubs, and I was often the “mom friend,” the person others trusted to stay calm, help solve problems, and look out for people.

In college, I worked full-time while earning my degree. I got married young, learned to budget carefully, and built a life step by step without shortcuts. Those years shaped my work ethic and reinforced something I still believe: dignity comes from effort, and strong communities are built by people who care for one another.

Today, I live in Sheridan, and I’m committed to practical, steady service rooted in real life. The experiences that shaped me are the same ones that shaped my path forward—and why I’m committed to doing the work that helps families stay stable, and communities stay strong.

Three children, two girls and one boy, are standing on the porch of a house, holding hands and smiling. The girl on the left is wearing a purple dress with a swan design, the boy in the middle is wearing a striped shirt, and the girl on the right is in overalls. There are potted flowers on the porch railing, and a large window with a view of trees in the background.
Two young women smiling and posing with their arms around each other, dressed in formal dresses.
Two children, a boy and a girl, riding a carousel at an amusement park, with the boy on the left holding a carousel pole and the girl smiling and holding another pole, with outside trees and park visible through the carousel window.
A groom kisses a bride on the forehead outdoors, surrounded by green trees, with the bride holding a white flower lapel.
A smiling woman standing on large rocks at the edge of the beach with arms wide open, wearing a black puffer vest and black pants, with a body of water and a mountain in the background, under a cloudy sky.
Young woman with dark curly hair smiling in front of a modern glass building on a sunny day.

Driven by passion

This path led me to social work, and it’s also what led me to run for office. I’ve sat with families on their hardest days, and I’ve met people who are doing everything right: working hard, loving their kids, and giving everything they have, and still falling behind because the system isn’t built for everyday working Hoosiers.

My first job after undergrad was with the Indiana Department of Child Services, investigating child abuse and neglect in partnership with law enforcement, healthcare providers, the courts, and other community partners. I’ve seen how cracks in the system can lead to unthinkable outcomes for families who are doing their best, and I’ve also seen how early, practical support can change everything.

During graduate school, I completed internship hours with the Westfield Fire Department’s Mobile Integrated Health program and the IU Student Outreach Clinic (“Compassion Clinic”), a student-run free health service in Indianapolis. At Westfield Fire, I worked alongside community first responders to connect people to care and reduce repeat crises. At the clinic, I served neighbors who are unhoused, uninsured, and immigrants working toward legal residency, people navigating challenges that most of us will never see from the outside.

These experiences made something clear to me: policy decisions made at the Statehouse have real-world consequences. They show up in whether a family can afford housing, whether someone can access care, whether a person in crisis gets help before it becomes an emergency, and whether first responders are repeatedly asked to carry situations that should have never reached a breaking point. That’s why I’m also advocating for stronger social work-informed programs within public safety settings, including the Sheriff’s Department and the Coroner’s Office.

I believe leadership should be steady, compassionate, and accountable; and it should focus on practical solutions that help families stay afloat, afford housing, access care, and feel safe in their communities. I’m also involved locally as a precinct committee person and delegate because I believe civic participation should be accessible and community-driven.

I’m running for State Senate because Hoosiers deserve leaders who understand hard work, value community, and recognize how quickly a family’s stability can change. I believe the American dream should still be within reach here in Indiana, and I’m ready to do the work to protect it.