Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for fun?

I have been a Women’s Leadership Initiative member since 2013. Outside of working and volunteering, I have three wonderful kids, ages 6, 4, and 2 that keep me on my toes at all times. There is never a dull moment in our house. We love to get outside to play soccer, golf, bike, walk, or run. During the winter, we love to go skiing and sledding in our backyard.

What’s something unique that people don’t know about you?

I am a very passionate and competitive marathon runner. While running the Boston Marathon in 2015, I broke a bone in my foot and unfortunately I didn’t stop running so it resulted in surgery to remove the bone. My family now calls me ‘boneless.’

What causes are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about building a community with strong women, who often these women are also strong mothers. These women have a huge impact on their children and on our community’s children. I enjoy volunteering at local races and cheering for runners, as well as volunteering with United Way to raise awareness and support for our local community.

Why did you get involved with United Way and Women’s Leadership Initiative?

My husband and I have lived in a variety of states and United Way has been a constant for us. Over the years, we have made wonderful connections and have seen significant impact from the hours and dollars we contributed. I joined Women’s Leadership Initiative right after we moved to Cedar Rapids in 2013. After attending the Power of the Purse event I knew I wanted to join. Since then, I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of gracious women in our community who have spent time, energy, and money to make a difference.

Do you have any advice for others who want to be more active in the community?

When looking to be more active in the community, my advice is to jump in and attend an event with an organization that interests you. At first it can be intimidating, but once you get there, you can meet the most amazing people, and contribute to some great causes.
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