Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Greg and I are Miami Mergers (Love&Honor to Miami University) and we’ve been married for almost 5 years. We welcomed our first daughter last November and I seriously can’t believe we’ve done this parenting thing for almost a year now. The saying “the days are long, but years are short” definitely applies here. I obviously can’t help but mention our first “furbaby” – our pit-mix, Finley, who frequents many of the dog parks around town.

Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
In the world of entrepreneurship, no career path is “the right one,” nor is there a roadmap. I love that. Because, as is the trend with my generation, I’ve had four different full-time jobs in my twenties. Each has taught me something unique that has lead to all the subsequent steps I’ve taken. Currently, I get to work at The Entrepreneurs Center as the Director of Strategic Programs, building and managing programs that teach commercialization within the world of “SBIR” (Small Business Innovation Research) on behalf of the United States Air Force and other federal agencies. I also get the amazing opportunity to serve on the executive board of the Aruna Project, a small business here in Cincinnati – they are AMAZING. And lastly, when I find a spare moment, I am a public speaker with Global Leadership Partners, giving Leadership and Emotional Intelligence seminars to students and young leaders around the world (most recently in Kazakstan).

What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
For special occasions, we love Sotto! Goose & Elder was our last date-night spot pre-COVID, but we reserve the prize of “favorite restaurant” for Sleepy Bee Cafe!

How long have you lived or worked in our community?
My husband and I moved to Cincinnati only three years ago, but it’s officially become my favorite place I’ve ever lived. We now live in Fairfax and log lots of miles on our stroller through the village’s streets.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Travel is one of our most favorite things (I’m at 19 countries and counting…), and it’s been totally ruined by COVID… trips to Mexico and Hawaii are among our cancellations. But, we are thrilled to book a future trip to see the Fjords of Finland and medieval castles of Scotland!

What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Speaking of Scotland, I love me some Jaime Fraser in Outlander. I’m also a huge Harry Potter nerd and fan of Pride & Prejudice.

What advice would you give to people?
Pursue holistic health. Address your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health – they’re all related and really important to living a Wholehearted Life (thanks, Brene Brown).

What is something on your bucket list?
I just checked off one of my biggest bucket list items a few years ago – my husband took me across the world to see the floating lanterns in Thailand (traditional loy krathong / yi peng festival). Yes, I felt like Rapunzel in “Tangled.”

What is your go to music when you cant decide what to listen to?
Lately, we’ve been spinning a lot of Mandolin Orange, a small folk band, who just came through town last year at the Taft Theater.

What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Aruna Project! They are the epitome of a worthy small business. Their roots are strong and their mission is incredible. Definitely check them out.

If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you go for this lunch?
Alive? Darn. I usually answer Amelia Earhart. So, I’ll have to go with Brene Brown. We would sit in Joanna Gaines’ kitchen and eat her home-cooked food and feed our souls.

What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love our balance of grit and grace. The city is full of unique and edgy art / food / museums / businesses / people, but we are full of grace and care for one another.

Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
My heart thrives when dreaming about a future in a home full of light and little kiddos, where controlled chaos reigns and we’re all working hard to be the people God created us to be. Pushing into our strengths (for me, at work and as a mom).

What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’ve swam with a whale shark in the middle of the ocean. A local said “hey, there’s a fin. Jump in!” and we did… worth it.

What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
San Diego is my favorite spot on earth. I’ve seen a lot of countries and cities, but that place, with its temperate climate, mountains, and sea – it’s my “happy place.”

Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
December! I get to celebrate my birthday, Christmas, and usually spend a lot of time with family. Though, I could do without the cold weather.

What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Iron Sharpens Iron – the gym. The vibe in that place in incredible and makes challenge myself and those around me.

Who inspires you to be better?
My daughter inspires me in a lot of ways – without knowing, she makes me want to be a better person, beyond just a better mom. She makes me want to see a better world and to fight to create a space where she can thrive in our home / family / community. She pushes me to be more of who God created me to be – even if that means a bit of time away from her at work / the gym / etc.

What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Freshly brewed coffee is a smell unlike any other! Walking into Redtree or Coffee Emporium is dreamy.

Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Hospitality. Authentic. Intentional.