Tell us about you!  What were you doing before this point and what led you here?

For the last eight (8) years I had been working for RealManage, a national Community Association Management firm with a local Seattle branch. We were the smallest branch in the company, but we worked hard. We were a 3-woman office managing 25-29 associations for my first 4 years. During the last 4 years, our team grew by 3 and our total portfolio grew. We had 4 straight years of 100% client retention which put us as #1 in the company! When the full-time work from home climate changed, I knew commuting to Seattle/Bellevue 2+ days a week was not going to be sustainable for the work/life balance I has successfully achieved since 2018. Finding a local opportunity with a shorter commute and the ability to reconnect with my local community that I love so much was the number one priority for me. 

After reviewing our current governing documents and community layout, what is the first "quick win" you see for improving the resident experience?

One of the biggest things I have noticed is consistency in communication. In speaking with the Board during my interviews and more conversations since I started, making sure the community engagement is more fluid was #1 for them. I’ve done some audits of the Canterwood.org website to make sure documents are visible, updated and clearly labeled (it’s the little things!) I have also worked with the board on HOA-wide email notifications to hold a reminder for meetings, send out the meeting minutes once they are approved, general notifications for upcoming events and most recently, updates on the old office building. This list will continue to evolve, but I have received positive feedback thus far. 

What is your long-term vision for maintaining property values while ensuring our neighborhood remains a welcoming place for families?

Focusing on consistent maintenance, thoughtful standards, and attractive shared spaces that create pride in ownership and lasting appeal while at the same time, fostering a strong sense of community through connection, open communication, and a friendly, approachable governance style. By blending care for the community with care for one another, my hope is this will ensure your community remains both a great investment and a place people truly love to call home.

What is your philosophy on rule enforcement—do you lean toward strict adherence or a more nuanced, case-by-case education-first approach?

I find that educating is always the first approach in these situations. While the Rules & Regulations are in place for a reason, often it’s as simple as helping to understand or clarify the rule can solve the issue the first time. If there is a gray area, then I bring it to the board to review how to better define the issue so that if a policy or rules need to be made clearer, we can revise it so that everyone can work with the same understanding. Consistency matters!

What draws you to this specific geographic area-what do you love about PNW and Gig Harbor?

I’ve lived in Washington since 2014 but visited the Seattle area several times prior. I was always taken aback by the charm of the smaller towns, fishing communities and the ability to be on the water or in the mountains on any given day in record time! When I first arrived, I lived in Sequim for a few weeks before settling in Everett. Around 2017 an opportunity came up to relocate down to Gig Harbor, and I was instantly in love! I knew it was home the moment I walked into my soon-to-be apt. I walk downtown almost daily and never get tired of the view; rain or shine, we truly live in a magical little town.

What are the hobbies or passions you pursue outside of work that help you recharge and stay sharp for a high-pressure management role?

I spend a lot of my down time with my family and friends; exploring new areas and enjoying time on the water or having BBQs/gatherings. Whether on my friends’ commercial fishing boat, paddle boarding or finding a lake, when the sun is out, I gravitate to water. This year, my boyfriend and I have decided to Troll Hunt and find all of the Thomas Dambo Trolls in the PNW. So far, we have tracked two down! It’s really a lot of fun, highly recommended for any age group. We both work hard to enjoy our free time with friends and family after a long week. Getting out and ‘playing’ in our beautiful little town is a must and I am always up for an adventure. 

What is a personal achievement you’re most proud of that has nothing to do with your resume?

Honestly, making the decision to move here in 2014 has to-date, been the best decision ever. I was born in Central Pennsylvania where I lived until 2014 when, after my divorce, decided a bigger change was in order. With the support of family and friends, I relocated with only the things I could fit in my little Mitsubishi car and drove across the country solo. I lived in Sequim for 6 weeks, working at The Family Shoe Store in Port Angeles while I was job hunting. Kevin and his wife Julia have owned that shoe store for over 40 years and were my biggest champions in this next chapter of my life, which made being 3,000 miles away from immediate family a little easier to adjust. Though they never asked me to pay their kindness forward, it’s all I’ve ever done since! I had never been this far from “home” and with knowing almost no one in the area, it was an interesting first year! Instead of sitting alone in my studio on the weekends, I would look up events happening around me, markets, breweries, off-the-path beaches, you name it- I found it! I’ll never forget looking in the rear-view mirror as I drove away from my parents’ house all those years ago; my father was on the sidewalk with the remaining items I couldn’t fit into my already-overflowing car, waving. Just prior to driving off, I remember panicking that I’d miss the things that wouldn’t fit, but he simply said “these things will only weigh you down. Fresh starts come with minimal baggage so go make friends, find something you love to do, and don’t forget to call your mother and I so we know you’re safe.” I listened, I fell into a fun routine and I’ve never looked back. Now I share that cozy little apartment and a wild bunch of friends and family with my boyfriend—and his daughter when she’s with us. It may not be big, but we make it feel just right. It’s a home full of laughter, love, and just the right amount of LEGO chaos!

How do you approach the transition of leadership, and what would your priorities be during your first 90 days to ensure a seamless hand-off?

It was very important to me to come in and be a sponge, if you will, and really watch and learn how the community flows. The first 60 days have been thoroughly impressive, most notably the committees. The incredible support of the committees for this community is truly something to celebrate! I’ve managed HOAs and Condos since 2014 and have never had this level of volunteer presence, and impact, like here at Canterwood.  Anything my team or I can do to encourage and support more members to get involved, we will. 

 We all have a “work superpower." What is yours, and how does it help you connect with people who might have very different perspectives from your own?

Listening. I find that the root of a lot of misunderstandings comes from simply not listening. A lot of times people can get caught up in listening to respond rather than understand. I may not have the answer right away but giving the proper time and attention to create a foundation to a solution, that is a huge achievement!

What is a book, mentor, or life experience that has most shaped your approach to leadership and service?

One of the books that has most shaped my approach to leadership is Wild by Cheryl Strayed. There’s a moment that really stuck with me: she loses one of her boots over the side of a mountain—and in a mix of frustration and determination, she throws the other one after it. It’s such a raw, human reaction… and yet, she keeps going. She continues her 2,650-mile journey with her shower sandals duct taped to her feet until she can replace them at the next stop.

She could have quit right there. That would have been the easy, understandable ending. But it wasn’t. Instead, she adapted, got creative, and pressed forward despite the odds.

That story has stayed with me as a reminder that setbacks don’t have to define the outcome—they can redefine the approach. In leadership and in life, “no” can absolutely be a full stop—but it can also be a starting point. It’s an invitation to pivot, problem-solve, and find a path forward when the original one disappears.