What is your favorite part about working in the non-profit industry?
My favorite part about working in the non-profit industry is that it’s generally oriented on solving big problems. I like finding ways through my work to be part of the solutions, doing my part to build strong organizations that can improve our communities, economy, education, environment, health and social systems.
What will your new role at AJAC include?
I’m very excited to join AJAC as the new Director of Programs! First, I think this role is a great fit for building on my strengths, experience, and interests. Second, this role lets me come in and learn everything I can about the impactful apprenticeship program work already underway across the Pacific Northwest. Third, my job is to work with the team to help amplify our strengths and expand the reach of our programs to help more people and employers while figuring out how to continuously improve where we can. Along the way I get to meet, learn from and serve the existing AJAC team and network, help make new connections with future apprentices, schools, communities, employers and others who benefit from having strong education, training partnerships and programs in their region.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m grateful to share my life with my husband, Kord, and son, Emmett. There’s a lot of silliness afoot in our household, morning, noon and night which keeps me plenty occupied outside of work. We also love getting outside on the weekends or through big family vacations, visiting parks and playgrounds, scenic drives, hiking and being awed by gorgeous vistas – which is why we are so excited to move to Washington state! Actually, our last family vacation was a year ago to visit the PNW including Seattle and Vancouver Island, clearly a seed was planted! In my personal time, I love reading science fiction (mostly audio books these days), writing, gardening, a glass of good wine, and even a little dancing.
If you could live in a book, tv show or movie, what would it be?
I have been a long time “Trekkie.” If I could live in a different world, it would be in the Star Trek universe, starting with Star Trek: The Next Generation, to be more precise. I grew up watching the original Star Trek and the TNG series on TV with my mom and brother. I’ve always loved the idea of being from a planet/society that overcame our most daunting societal- environmental- technical challenges, and we join crews on starships exploring and learning about everything we can about the universe. Sounds good to me!
What was your dream job growing up?
A marine biologist was my first idea of a dream job starting in middle school. I memorized all my shark and whale species and even took a marine life dissecting class at my local aquarium. I thought riding dolphins at a Sea-world type of place would be a great occupation for me. That dream job notion held through college until I actually took my first marine biology course in which instead of studying dolphins and whales, we studied mostly water chemistry and learned about tiny worms that lived in the seabed. I must admit that my interest in the field faded quickly after that. Much respect to all those real marine biologists out there who stuck with it!
