How long have you worshiped at Saint Philip’s?
Since 2022—so four years now. My husband, Brian, and I moved from Princeton Junction, NJ—literally the other side of the tracks from Princeton.

What brought you to Saint Philip’s?
My sister and brother-in-law live in Tucson and whenever Brian and I would visit, they would bring us to Christmas Eve services.

One visit made the parish feel really special. We were lined up outside for the 5:00pm service. My other sister was blind so she had her white cane and my broken foot and I were balancing on a scooter. Our twins were in middle school and they were getting antsy. Our family was quite a sight!

An usher spotted us and immediately brought us inside to the very front of the church and invited us to get comfortable. It was such a lovely gesture and made us feel at home.

Were you raised in a faith tradition?
I was raised in the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. Which denomination we worshiped in depended on the preacher in the town we lived. My parents would visit different churches and we would worship where they felt most comfortable.

What brought you to the Episcopal Church?
My husband was raised a Roman Catholic so the Episcopal Church is a compromise we both appreciate.

How are you involved in the parish?
I’ve been an usher for two years. I get to meet people and feel that I’m helping.

What do you do professionally?
I do leadership development and succession planning, first in the corporate world and about 10 years ago I transitioned to the nonprofit arena.

I help Boards recruit new members, educate them on their roles, mentor them to serve as officers, and prepare for CEO/ED emergency transitions and long-term succession planning. And when possible, I also help with leadership development for the nonprofit professionals in those organizations.

What do you like about the work?
I’ve always enjoyed working with senior leaders because of the impact they have in their organizations. I’m passionate about developing leaders to foster a positive work culture and mentor their staff. And doing it with nonprofits adds an extra layer of helping organizations that have meaningful missions.

What’s something you once believed that you no longer do?
I used to believe that everybody has the same chance in life if they work hard enough. I don’t believe that anymore. There are people who need extra help and support.

Have you ever taken a leap of faith?
When I was 25 I quit my job in New York City selling Canon copiers, put everything in storage, and bought a one-way ticket to Europe. I didn’t know how long I would travel, I just knew I needed to do it. I ended up staying in Europe for three months and, to this day, I’m so glad I did it.

Is there a place that feels extraordinary because of what happened there?
Yes! During my European travels I took the train from Oslo to Bergen. It was drizzling when I arrived but I decided to walk out of the village. I set forth with my stale bread, chunk of cheese, and little day-pack.

I got to the edge of town and discovered a waterfall. The landscape opened up to a long, beautiful fjord. I decided to stop there and have my lunch.

As I sat looking at the water and watching the skies clear, a rainbow appeared. And it was the first time in my life I didn’t wish someone else was there with me. I finally felt like my own best friend. That was huge.

What difference did that make going forward?
I think it gave me a grounding and helped me become more independent in small ways.

While growing up my family moved a few times so I often felt like I was on the outside looking in. I had FOMO (fear of missing out). The experience outside Bergen helped me realize that it’s not always what’s over “there” that’s important. It’s what’s inside that matters.

Is there a new habit you’re trying to cultivate?
Getting up earlier. Cooper, our black labrador retriever, needs to walk before the sun comes out.

Is there something unique about this chapter of your life?
What this chapter looks like is now much more my decision than ever before. That’s really cool but it also means that it’s my responsibility. I can’t claim to be distracted by the kids or my husband’s career.

What’s something friends say they really appreciate about you?
They say I’m pathologically positive and that it can be annoying.

What do you think fuels your positivity?
I’m curious. I love learning about people and hearing their stories—where they came from and how they arrived where they are. It’s a big interesting world out there and I enjoy being in it.

What’s a guilty pleasure you enjoy?
Lucky Charms cereal. But I try to eat them only on birthdays—mine and my family members’.

My mother was a nutritionist whose idea of a cookie was a fig newton because it had fruit. So now I enjoy Lucky Charms.

Is there a rule you break regularly?
I don’t make a lot of rules!

What comforts you in the worst of times?
Brian and good friends. I grew up in a family that believed that if you have three to five good friends who will bail you out of jail and talk you through cancer, then you’re a very, very blessed person.

What’s a lesson you keep being invited to learn?
Ha! Paying more attention to organization and details.

How do you manage that?
I’m learning to keep my wheelhouse very controllable instead of trying to take on too many projects or veer into an area that at one point was my expertise but no longer is. I’m slowly learning how to set myself up for success by not overcommitting myself.

How do you define success?
I’m someone who ruminates after a meeting: What should I have said? Did I handle that correctly? Was my recommendation a good one?

One measure of success is if I spend no more than 10 minutes pondering. Debriefing is important but after 20 minutes, it’s time to move on.

What’s something that’s changed as you’ve gotten older?
I’m not a fan of mindless small talk anymore. I’d much rather have three good conversations with somebody that I’m trying to get to know than work my way through a room with polite banter.

What do you do to replenish your energy?
Naps are awesome. I grew up in a family where napping was approved so I don’t feel guilty about them.

What’s something you’re proud of?
I’m proud that I show people I’m interested in them. I’ve heard parents or managers say they won’t share a compliment because it will give someone a big head. I think that’s a really limited perspective because we all need “Atta girls!”

What’s one of your core values?
Partnering and teamwork.

I’m not a particularly directive person; I’m more cooperative. I find that people generally respond much better when asked a question. It engages their brain differently when they do their own problem solving instead of being given the answer.

That then lets me take their pulse—which tells me if they’ve bought into the idea or not. Said another way, it let’s me know if I was helpful or not.

What’s something unexpected in your life right now that you’re grateful for?
My new role as Chapter Chair of the two Tucson Chapters of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO).

These amazing business owners gather with their entrepreneurial peers to support each other and share what they’ve learned. It’s a real treat and delight to work with women who have really interesting and diverse business backgrounds and varying skill sets. It’s very energizing.

What’s one of your super powers?
I’m a good listener. Asking questions is a good start but we all know people who don’t listen to the answers. Really good friendships can’t be built without listening to answers.

And on a professional level, listening is necessary to do a job well. Especially if I want to encourage collaboration instead of being directive.

Do you volunteer outside of Saint Philip’s?
Every month I come to Saint Philip’s to facilitate a NAMI Family Support Group meeting for folks who have loved ones managing mental health challenges. I serve on only one Board at a time, and right now I’m a new volunteer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southern Arizona (NAMISA).

I’m also a dialogue circle facilitator for the Center of Community Mediation and Facilitation.

Nonprofit boards are a team sport because of the necessary shared leadership roles. Volunteers have such different backgrounds, approaches, and skill sets that, again, listening is really important.

What’s one of your guiding principles?
I’m a problem solver so believe there is always a way to fix something. And if not, I believe we’ll get through whatever the challenge is.

Is there something you would like more of in your life?
Travel. I want to explore more of the West.

For example, this summer instead of going to Santa Fe—which we’ve done the past three years—we’ll stay in Flagstaff. I also want to check out Oregon and the wine region in Temecula, California.

When we first arrived in Tucson we explored Montana and Napa, and Bryce and Zion national parks.

What’s something you haven’t done that you’d still like to?
I’ve been thinking about that. Getting good at Mah Jongg is on the list.

What’s a fun fact about you?
Growing up in Missouri I was in 4H, and my horse and I barrel raced. We were a very slow and bad team, but I can say I was a barrel racer!