In late 2016, I was approached by a friend as we dropped our kids off at school and she asked if I would consider running for city council. Recently divorced and parenting two school-aged kids, I paused before answering – but only for a moment! I had always considered running for office, and with the support of a great group of women ran and won a seat on the City Council. Seven and a half years later, I have been elected twice and have been Mayor for nearly five years. I have worked hard with my fellow council members to craft policies that move Port Angeles forward and address some of our community’s biggest concerns – including housing, the opioid crisis, and childcare. I am committed to serving in a way that centers strong partnerships, equity, the environment, and fiscal responsibility.

I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. I graduated from Albion College, in Albion, Michigan with a BA in History and Public Service. I earned my Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington. After graduate school I worked for what is now Humanities Washington until moving to Port Angeles in 2001 where I managed Dr. Robert Craven’s office. 

In 2003 I moved to Portland, OR, where I worked as a Technical Assistance Field Specialist in the Field Services Department of the Oregon Office of Rural Health at Oregon Health and Science University. After my son was born I stayed home to raise him along with his brother. 

In 2012 I moved back to Port Angeles where I continued to be a stay at home mom and volunteered on the Franklin Elementary PTO as treasurer and president. I helped them form a proper 501(c)(3) to make it easier to raise funds for a new playground funded by community donations. I also did some substitute teaching for Port Angeles and Crescent School Districts.  

In 2018 I was sworn in for my first time on the city council. I also started working in the nursing department at Peninsula College where I am currently the Clinical, Outreach, and Accreditation Coordinator. 

My sons are now teenagers. One is into cars and mountain biking and the other is playing baseball and has a new found love of fishing. They are excited for me to  continue this invaluable community work and one of them is looking forward to voting for me in November. I hope you will join him.