What did you want to be when you grew up?

Completely unrelated to my professional career pathway, when I was young, I wanted to be an actress. I loved theater and the dreamy concept of getting completely lost in a character. There is a component of acting that involves developing a deep sense of empathy. You need this to understand the various layers of a character, their motivations, their loves, their fears, and their needs. Perhaps that is where the beginnings of my empathetic heart began.

What motivates you?

There is a famous quote by George Bernard Shaw that accurately captures the foundation on which I have intentionally paved my career: “… my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can.” Although over time my definition of “community” has grown, I have stayed grounded in my desire to serve others, and to do my best to support the optimal growth, development, and health of children and their families.