Compassion. Service. Prevention.

 My siblings and I were raised in a small rural community with conventional values where I learned early that life does not hand everyone the same opportunities. During my childhood and teenage years, I experienced the loss of several people who shaped my life, including my father, grandfather, and a significant other. Those experiences became defining moments that taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of showing up for others during life's darkest moments. They also helped me understand that every death leaves behind a family whose lives are forever changed. 

 Despite these challenges, I graduated near the top of my class while working two jobs to support myself. Scholarships from local organizations and my Native Village of Afognak Tribe allowed me to pursue higher education, but I continued working two and sometimes three jobs while raising my child and helping care for my grandmother through declining health. Those experiences strengthened my appreciation for responsibility, perseverance, and caring for others with dignity. 

Throughout my career, service has always come before recognition. As a cheerleading coach, I worked to instill confidence, discipline, teamwork, and respect in young people. In human services, I advocated for individuals living with mental illness and substance use concerns, developed supportive programs, and spoke publicly to reduce stigma while connecting people with resources and hope.

For more than fifteen years, I have dedicated my career to medicolegal death investigation. Every person I have cared for, regardless of their background, circumstances, or the manner of their death, has been treated with compassion, dignity, and respect. I have walked alongside grieving families during some of the hardest days of their lives, helping them navigate the uncertainty that follows the loss of a loved one. 

 Today, I live in Toledo with my family, where we enjoy caring for our small farm. I continue to pursue educational and professional development because I believe learning never stops. Every experience throughout my life has reinforced one simple belief: people deserve compassion, honest communication, and dedicated public service. Those values continue to guide both my career and my vision for serving Lewis County. 

 Compassion 

• Treating every person with dignity and respect. 
• Caring for neighbors during times of hardship. 
• Supporting families through difficult moments. 
• Recognizing the inherent worth of every individual. 

Service 

• Putting the community before personal recognition. 
• Being a responsible steward of public resources. 
• Honoring commitments and serving with professionalism. 
• Building trust through reliability, honesty, and accountability. 

Prevention 

• Taking responsibility to reduce avoidable harm. 
• Promoting education and preparedness. 
• Working with families, schools, first responders, and community organizations to improve public safety. 
• Learning from experience to protect future generations.