A neighbor who showed up - and never left.
I didn't grow up in Bend. I chose it.
In the middle of a pandemic, with a one-year-old and a two-year-old in the backseat, my partner and I packed up our lives and headed north. We were looking for a community, a real one, where we could raise our kids, put down roots, and actually know our neighbors. The moment we arrived in Bend, we knew we were home.
We were lucky enough to buy a house. Our kids are growing up here. Our dog Nilla, a rescue who came from Mexico and is still making peace with Oregon winters, has claimed her spot on the couch. We are not going anywhere.
Choosing Bend wasn't a casual decision. It was a commitment. And running for City Council is how I'm honoring that commitment.
My Career: From Geology to Climate and Transit
I spent nearly a decade as an engineering geologist learning how systems work, how they fail, and how to think rigorously about long-term consequences. That scientific grounding shapes everything I do.
But over time, I felt a deeper pull. I'd always been passionate about climate and about building the kind of systems that let people live their values and contribute to a better future. I made a career pivot into climate and public transportation work, and I haven't looked back. My professional expertise is in the intersection of climate action and how we move people. Which, it turns out, is one of the most powerful levers we have.
I bring that expertise to this campaign. When I talk about transit, I'm not speaking in talking points. I'm talking about systems I work in every day. When I talk about sustainable growth, I understand the mechanics behind the policy.
Beyond my professional work, I'm deeply rooted in this community. I'm an active volunteer with the Deschutes Democrats and serve on the board of Commute Options, the regional nonprofit advocating for transportation options across Central Oregon. I don't just care about this place from a distance. I'm already doing the work, and I'm ready to do more as your representative on the City Council.