
I’ve lived in Salem for five years now and have had the pleasure to visit UMRC, but I—like many other Salem residents—was not fully aware of all this remarkable community has to offer not only its residents and students, but also the public. My passions have always revolved around building community. Previous professional engagements have been as the donor and community relations and events person for a number of non-profits in California, Oregon, Michigan, and Virginia, including the Oregon Bach Festival, the Caltech Alumni Association, the Boys and Girls Club, Albion College, two land trusts, and a community foundation.
In my personal life, I’ve done similar work for my alma mater and for the American Diabetes Association. I have also been a very active participant/resident of two cohousing communities, and have cherished lifelong ties with retirement communities and the elderly. It is a joy to help organizations and their supporters thrive and connect with one another, and to witness how meaningful these experiences are to participants of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities; it has been proven to me countless times that absolutely everyone can help make a difference and gain something for themselves in the process!
Some might know me from other involvements: I am the former outreach and events person for LifeSource Natural Foods, I’m in my sixth season as a soprano in the Willamette Master Chorus, I’m a Leslie Middle School and Candalaria Elementary School parent, and I participate in local and regional distance running events annually with the Willamette Valley Road Runners, the Oregon Road Runners Club, and others (looking forward to my 12th marathon in March)... and I help out my darling mom (aged 77), in West Salem, when she lets me (which isn’t often enough for my taste!). I grew up in Claremont, California and got my degree at Occidental College in Los Angeles, and am happy that my two children, my mother and I now call Salem home.
Please don’t hesitate to stop by for a visit, call me at (503) 585-6511, or email me. Let’s put our hearts and minds together on how we can bring gifts of time, effort, talent, dollars, connections and other resources to the UMRC and its residents, students, and families.