My Education:

  • LaSalle High School
  • Kirkwood Community College
  • Brigham Young University, BS – Social Sciences (Psychology), Mathematics, and Secondary Education Certification

 

After graduating from BYU in Utah, I moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area.  


My Professional Work Experience:

  • Math Teacher for high school and college
  • Tutor then Assistant Director of a learning center
  • Office Manager of a homeowner association budget consulting firm
  • Behavioral Therapist for children with autism
  • Transitional Living Specialist for adults with mental illness


 In 1995, I returned to Cedar Rapids to be near my parents, and I've remained here since. 

Because it was a new profession here, it was fate that I immediately found a position similar to the one I left in California - working with autistic children as a behavioral therapist.


My professional work experience in Cedar Rapids also includes teaching math within the Learning Services Department at Kirkwood Community College. 


I currently work at Abbe Center for Community Mental Health as a Transitional Living Specialist. I love what I do, and I cherish my clients!

My Volunteer Community Involvement:

  • Cedar Rapids School Board
  • Cedar Rapids / Linn County Crime Stoppers Board, secretary
  • Linn County Partnership for Substance Abuse Board, treasurer
  • Cedar Rapids Neighborhood Planning Process Steering Committee
  • Cedar Rapids Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) Oversight Committee, vice chair


I created the council-approved LOSST personal possessions program that helped flood victims.


In 2011, 2012 and 2013, I organized the campaigns to oppose the LOSST extensions, twice defeating the establishment.


I've been a citizen lobbyist to the State Legislature in attempt to:

  • Tighten language of  the 2012 $600 million “Flood Mitigation Bill” (Senate File 2217) in order to protect taxpayers from misuse of funds.

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  • Pass the 2015 “Right to Assistance Bill” (House File 493) to protect the safety of residents so they can call for police assistance without being penalized. The bill passed the house 98-0.


House File 493 was prompted due to Cedar Rapids "Nuisance" Ordinance Chapter 22A. aka "SAFE CR." Lobbyist support came from Iowa Landlord Assn, Landlords of Iowa, ACLU, Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, along with other support, including realtor groups. Lobbyists against: City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa League of Cities.

A short synopsis of my "bio" ...