Pronouns: she/her

Professional experience/accomplishments: I have 19 years of professional nonprofit experience. Currently, I serve as Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi’s Vice President of External Affairs/Chief Development Officer providing strategic vision and leadership for PPTNM’s Development, Education, and Community Engagement departments, as well as affiliate Marketing and Communications. I was honored to be recognized by Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Development Officer’s Council as the 2017 Fundraiser of the Year.

Committee Involvement: Development Committee

Fun/quirky piece of information: A million years ago when I served on the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society Board (MS), I worked alongside dozens of volunteers to rescue more than 50 privately-owned, abused and malnourished exotic animals (lions, tigers, cougars, bears—oh my!) and re-home them to sanctuaries around the country. The property owners gave us one day to remove all of the animals, after which they would shoot them. After working for nearly 18 hours to get the animals loaded into horse trailers for transport, the last animal, a bear, was too afraid to be coaxed out of his makeshift enclosure. We convinced the owners to let us return the following day to try to get the bear. Two friends and I—none of us had experience with big animals—returned and somehow managed to gently get him from pen to trailer and we all lived to see another day.

Why do you serve on the OUTMemphis Board of Directors?: I believe in a just, equitable world. Everyone deserves full equality and to be treated with dignity, regardless of who they love, the color of their skin, or where they come from. I intend to do everything I can to create a world where this is true. The services and programs OUTMemphis provides are a 100% match with my values and it’s an honor to serve on the board.