I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, surrounded by the landscape, culture, and community of Southern Appalachia. My early experiences in this region shaped my appreciation for community, family, and the many systems that influence people’s lives.

I attended Brown University, graduating in 2006. While there, I took a class called Children and Public Policy that helped clarify my professional path. I knew I wanted to work with children and families, and that course helped me understand the powerful connection between individual well-being, public systems, and social change.

That path led me to social work, where I was introduced to the “person-in-environment” perspective — the idea that people do not exist in isolation. We live within relationships, families, communities, cultures, policies, and systems. To truly support a person, we often need to hold all of those layers in mind. I’m proud to have completed my master degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!).

I began my social work career in 2008, settling in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I have continued to live, work, and build community. Over the years, my work has taken place both in East Tennessee and across the state, supporting children, families, professionals, organizations, and systems. I am married and have three children, and my personal and professional life continue to deepen my belief in the importance of relationships, belonging, and care.

Below is more about my professional background.