In what city did you grow up? My father worked in human resources and, because of that, we moved four times before I was done with high school. I’ve lived and worked in Ohio, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Atlanta, but most of my years have been spent in Indiana.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A back-up dancer for music artist performances.
What famous person would you most like to meet? Oprah Winfrey.
What do you actually do at your job? I work with a team of experts to market and sell Fort Wayne/Allen County as an exceptional destination to visit. In 2022, 8.8 million leisure and group visitors spent $995 million in our communities generating nearly $50 million in local tax revenue for infrastructure improvements, public safety, public improvement projects and more for our residents.
What is your greatest accomplishment? Earning my Master of Science in Management degree as an adult student while raising a family is my personal greatest accomplishment. I respect anyone who returns to school as an adult to invest in themselves.
Who is your hero? My mom and dad. They have been married for 72 years and are doing well, living healthy and independent lives together in their 90s.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Not giving others the benefit of the doubt.
Do you have any guilty pleasures? What are they? Reading in the morning and then rushing to get ready. Preferring a call over e-communications. White cheddar Simply Cheetos Puffs and show-binging.
What three items would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island (other than food and water)? A good, long, book series. My readers. Hot, organic, loose leaf Irish Breakfast tea with cream.
Who would you like to see perform in concert? Music is a very important part of my life. I’ve seen Coldplay seven times. I made it to Taylor Swift’s epic Eras tour. I’m an extrovert, so stadiums full of people collectively there in the moment is my thing.
What does your workout regimen consist of? I love to bike. An all-season stationary with an exercise band in hand is a staple for me. I’m happiest on my beloved Cannondale riding outdoors with my husband, Sam.
If you could solve one major problem, what would it be? War.
If you could give your 15-year-old self advice, what would it be? Friends first, boys later.
What’s your biggest fear? Aside from tragically losing another loved one... spiders.
What skill would you like to master? Art – in any form.
What fad do you wish would come back or stay gone forever? I can live a lifetime without leg warmers.
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? One time to save face and never again… squirrel.
If you received enough money to never need to work again, what would you spend your time doing? I would start a foundation with a mission to change our culture’s mindset regarding elderly perceptions and acceptance.
When was the last time you cried and why? I recently got choked up at a luncheon I attended for International Women’s Day. They talked about men that support the growth of women. I thought of a peer nonprofit leader in Fort Wayne that has truly impacted my life in a substantial way.
When were you happiest? I can truly say I feel happy and grateful every day. There are bumps of course, but I’ve been blessed with wonderful journeys and dynamic people surrounding me.
What is something that never fails to make you laugh? Myself. If I do something silly or embarrassing I want to share it with others because I think it’s funny. I appreciate others that can do the same. After all, our imperfections are what make us unique.
Describe yourself in three words. Learner. Driven. Fun-loving.
What book has had the greatest impact on you? “The Four Agreements, A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by don Miguel Ruiz.
What is your favorite part of your job? It sounds cliché, but it’s the team I have the pleasure of working with and the positive impact we make together on our destination (Fort Wayne/Allen County).
What do you love most about Fort Wayne? Our abundant offerings to visitors that residents enjoy.
What was your first job? My first job out of Ball State was at a brokerage firm. I earned my Series 7 license to trade in the stock market and was a sales assistant to three stockbrokers. What’s funny is my major was Social Work.
What is your dream job? I have had the best jobs! Since 2001, I have had only three position changes. I’ve truly loved every one of my opportunities, but I’m in my dream job right now. I’ve arrived. I’ve lived in northeast Indiana for over 35 years. I’m thankful “retention of talent” is a real thing that is valued and acted upon in our region.
Do you have a motto you live by? If so, what is it? I have many, and they change often, but recently I put on the white board in our work conference room: “We are a… powerhouse” – Don’t forget it.
What would you choose as your last meal? Popcorn with a frozen coke and then chocolate ice cream with goat’s milk poured over it as dessert.
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party (living, dead, famous, real, or fictional)? Chris Martin, Feyre and Rhysand, Stephen King, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Jane Austen, Abraham Lincoln, Blake Shelton, Captain America, Joan of Arc, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mr. Darcy, my girlfriend squad and my family.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? I’d take a yearlong tour around the world.
What profession would you never try? Arachnologist.
Where will you go on your next vacation? Highlands, North Carolina.
What’s one thing you can’t live without? Family and friends.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? Make your own breaks in the world.
What is the best gift you have ever been given? Understanding.
Name one person who has inspired you in your life. My Samuel T. Boggs.
If you hosted a talk show, who would be your first guest? The president and CEO of the National Council on Aging.
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? Collaboration.
What age do you wish you could permanently be and why? 29. It’s a time in life where you are beginning to reflect on where you have been and are beginning to figure out where you might be going.
Who was your first celebrity crush? Brad Pitt.
What was the last gift you gave someone? I gave a staff member on our administrative team a birthday gift.
What is the most productive time of day for you? End of workday.
If you could send a message to the entire world, what would you say in 30 seconds? A message of universal acceptance to dissipate hate.
When was the last time you tried something new? At work we are taking on “new” all the time as a cohesive, innovative and energized team. We’re now accredited “with distinction” in our industry, we recently released Allen County’s first 10-Year Tourism Master Plan, and we’re launching our inaugural Power of Tourism & Hospitality Awards Luncheon on May 9 to recognize our hospitality partners that welcome and serve millions of visitors each year.
If you had to teach someone one thing, what would you teach? Big picture mentality.
What gets you excited and driven to achieve? The vision of the potential results that can come from a collective effort.
If you could go back in time, once, and change a single thing, what would it be? I would invest in myself and earn my doctorate degree.
What moment in your life would you most like to go back and relive? Being a child again, growing up with my sister and parents.
What do you collect? I love anything glass. Atomizers, vases, stained glass art (which I want to learn to make someday), paper weights, sculptures, prisms — you name it, I want it.
What is your earliest memory? Being frightened during the night when I was little, and going to my parents’ bedroom and to dad’s side of the bed. I remember him lifting the covers for me to crawl in. He never said no.
What trait or habit in yourself do you deplore? This is hard as I think I can be tough on myself, albeit in a productive way. Now that I think about it, maybe that is what I sometimes deplore.
