About Me
My background
I'm a mom with two great kids and a fabulous (and supportive!) husband, Phil. We've lived here for 25 years and have a deep connection to the community. My family also owns a 160 acre farm in Alberta. While not in King County, many of the challenges ranchers and farmers face here are similar, giving me a more nuanced perspective. I understand that regulatory burdens placed on farmers without offsetting technical and financial assistance puts rural lands at risk.
BUSINESS SKILLS: In my professional life I'm known as an innovative marketing and business development pro with a track record of forging effective partnerships and instilling tight operational and fiscal controls.
I've been a director within Microsoft Research, a VP at AOL, and CEO of a search engine company. I've managed multi-million dollar budgets, and
my various leadership roles have given me full profit & loss experience and the ability to build consensus between disparate groups.
My top issues
- Raise KCD's profile and increase the number of people who engage with KCD programs on a regular basis
- Increase the number of non-profit, tribal, and civic partnerships; strengthen, measure and communicate the impact of these relationships to constituents
- Broaden legislative outreach to ensure KCD is top-of-mind
- Increase the number and impact of urban/rural land owner workshop participants
- Leverage my experience in child-advocacy to help KCD reach under-served youth and at-risk populations
- Utilize my business background to ensure prudent and transparent management of funds
Let's maintain KCD's excellent work-in-process, and press ahead with focused initiatives to ensure that our community stays the kind of home we're proud to leave the next generation.
My civic engagement
I am president of SammamishFriends.org, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting conservation and sustainability efforts in the community. The group generates funds and guidance to Sammamish-based volunteer organizations supporting stormwater stewardship, wildlife habitat, heritage gardens, parks & open space plus other sustainability efforts. I’ve fostered partnerships within King County as we work to complete our signature project: a 28-mile trail system. I’m in the process of becoming a Certified Wildlife Steward and manage the Sammamish Huddle, a group promoting well-researched environmental policy and activism.
I’m a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children in dependency and I’ve recently been appointed to the King County Children and Youth Advisory Board.
Other volunteer board roles:
PTSA, Eastside Girls Lacrosse, Cancer Lifeline, Atlas Assistance Dogs
