What are you passionate about, and how do you use your voice/talent to make a difference?

I’m passionate about people, especially the underdogs, local dreamers, and those doing the hard work behind the scenes. I love helping small businesses tell their stories in a way that connects with others and builds real community around what they do. It lights me up to watch someone gain confidence in their voice, their vision, and their value.

Whether it’s creating a reel that showcases a brand’s personality, sitting across the table to brainstorm with a boutique owner, or shouting out a new business, I believe that everything I do is rooted in the conviction that people matter. When people feel seen and supported, they thrive.

I use my voice to create momentum for others. I don’t want the loudest or most polished to be the only ones heard. I want the real, the passionate, and the deeply invested to have a platform, too. Siouxland is full of so much heart, and I love to help that heart beat louder through connection, creativity, and community-first marketing.

What is your vision for the future of Siouxland?

My vision is a Siouxland where people stop saying, “someone should do something about that,” and start realizing they are someone. I want to see neighborhoods filled with thriving local businesses, kids growing up proud of where they’re from, and adults choosing to stay in Sioux City.

I imagine a community where small business owners feel like they’re part of something bigger. Where the barista knows your name, your kid’s school feels like an extension of your home, and collaboration between generations fuels growth. I want Sioux City to be known for its grit, its kindness, and its fierce loyalty to one another.

We have everything we need right here… talent, heart, and hustle. We just need to keep watering the roots. If we can pour into our people the same way we cheer for our teams on Friday nights, we’ll build something truly lasting.

What are you doing to make that happen?

I don’t wait for someone else to start the ripple… I start it. I pour my time, energy, and creativity into the people building this place from the ground up. I tell their stories through marketing, amplify their work on social media, and connect them to others who share their vision. I believe that when one local business grows, we all grow.

I serve in the Heelan Catholic School system because I believe in building from the inside out. I volunteer because I’ve seen what happens when someone simply shows up. I invest in relationships first because people remember how you made them feel.

I make space for ideas, even the messy ones. I offer support when someone’s just getting started and celebrate them when they hit their stride. My approach isn’t flashy; it’s consistent, intentional, and heart-led. That’s how change sticks.

How can people help you make that happen?

Just be a good human. That’s where it starts. Lead with kindness, empathy, and a willingness to show up. Tell a friend about your favorite local spot. Leave a review. Show up to the fundraiser. Shop the small business before you hit add to cart online.

If you have skills, share them. If you have time, give it. If you see someone doing good work, tell them. We’re all better when we cheer each other on and step into community with curiosity instead of comparison.

I’m not asking people to overhaul their lives… I’m inviting them to do what they already do, just more intentionally. 

What quote inspires you?

“Life is good.”

My mom passed away 16 years ago from cancer, yet even in her hardest days, she would say this. “Life isn’t always going to be easy, but I choose to look for the good even when it’s hard to find. That mindset has pulled me through some tough chapters and grounded me in the best ones. It reminds me to laugh when things fall apart, to find beauty in the in-between, and to keep betting on people even when it’s risky.

It’s my quiet reminder to keep showing up with hope. Because life really is good! Especially when you’re helping others grow, giving your gifts away freely, and building something you believe in, right where your feet are firmly planted.

Work: Northwestern Mutual

Title: Marketing Director and Brand Advocate 

Volunteer organizations:

• Holy Cross Parish (Fall 2014 – Present)
  • Children’s Liturgy Leader
• Bishop Heelan Catholic School (Fall 2024 – Present)
  • Marketing and Enrollment Committee
• Holy Cross Schools PTO (Spring 2024 – Present)
  • President
• Portfolio Book Club (Fall 2023 – Present)