I value authenticity and kindness in every personal and professional relationship. I have an investment in the human experience and believe that each person I encounter is the expert on their own life. I thrive when I can let my attention wander, which is best accomplished while swimming laps and walking or hiking outside. The immersive nothingness of the underwater experience and the birdsong on the trail are equally rivaled, but hiking brings about a creativity I don’t get elsewhere. Reading comes in spurts but rarely disappoints, and I am hard-pressed to miss my weekly Thursday morning watercolor class.

I have a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Masters of Science degree in Social Work from Aurora University. I am licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of Illinois and Utah, and a Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT). I have worked in a variety of clinical and administrative social work settings, including inpatient and outpatient behavioral healthcare, crisis intervention, home healthcare, and clinical supervision, in both nonprofit and private practice settings.

Servant leadership is important to me; throughout the years my committee work includes a focus on hospital ethics, juvenile justice, county-wide fundraising, and nonprofit partnership. I deeply value my past executive leadership opportunities with the DeKalb County (IL) Trauma Informed Committee, the Association of Experiential Education and Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group, and the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council.

After 30-plus years of parenting, marriage, and my social work career, I have gained the gift of perspective. I’m the first to admit my mistakes and I have learned from them. A growth mindset and believing in goodness are my greatest treasures. I believe that within any one of life’s many challenges, there is hope. I am passionate about and work to achieve whole-self relationships, honoring what feels right, while asserting and establishing healthy boundaries.

I am truly excited and proud to serve as executive director for Parker Bounds Johnson Foundation. This role allows me to honor Parker and his family while fulfilling the mission of serving young people and their families in need of mental and behavioral health support. It’s not just a position; it’s a heartfelt commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those who require assistance. I look forward to contributing my skills, passion, and dedication to lead the Foundation towards creating lasting change and promoting the wellbeing of those we serve.