Campaign Phone
913-735-7628
Personal Biography
I am proud to have devoted my more than 30-year career to bringing people together and finding real solutions to community challenges that impact the well-being of residents. I retired in July of 2023 from leading United Community Services of Johnson County, a nonprofit focused on improving community outcomes. I am a wife, mother and grandmother and a proud supporter of our public schools.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations from Northern Illinois University with a minor in International Relations and a Foreign Study/Academic Internship through Birkbeck College, University of London.
Community/Public Service
I am honored to have had been recognized with the Friend of Education Award through the Blue Valley School District and a Work of Heart Recipient through CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties. I have had the pleasure of serving on many boards and initiatives including the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment’s Public Health Leadership Council; Johnson County Criminal Justice Advisory Council; Johnson County Community Corrections Advisory Board; Blue Valley Educational Foundation Board of Directors; Overland Park’s FrameworkOP Comprehensive Plan Housing Advisory Team; U.S. 69 Expansion Project Advisory Group, Co-chair of the Equity Subcommittee; KC Regional COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund Advisory Board; Greenlight Fund Advisory Board; and as a CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties’ Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in need of care.
As the County continues to grow, especially in the southern and western portions, we need to ensure we are meeting our key infrastructure responsibilities regarding roads and bridges and addressing increased traffic demands. Additionally, finding transit remedies for our more than 620,000 residents and supporting attainable housing solutions are key priorities. Big picture, it is vital we keep pace with all the infrastructure responsibilities in our growing County to meet the needs of residents and businesses. To support these costs, we need to stay aggressive in securing state and federal grants, and explore ways to collaborate with public and private partners to maximize funding streams for projects that benefit the County, region and state.
Johnson County, in collaboration with our cities, creates the foundation on which we grow a robust community for residents and businesses alike. Investments in maintaining infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life amenities are vital to attract and retain area workers and employers. A ready and able workforce needs access to quality education, housing, childcare, and healthcare. Policies supporting public and private investments in these areas are necessary to secure broader employment. It is important to support initiatives that bring the County, employers, educational institutions, and training and apprenticeship programs together to identify where critical employment needs exist and to collaborate on solutions.
Johnson County is an award-winning community to live and raise our families. The County annually asks residents what their priorities are and continues to receive high resident satisfaction ratings regarding quality of life. Areas of strength include our libraries, parks and recreation, and emergency medical/ambulance services. Although it may not be an area folks think of immediately, we have an award-winning wastewater infrastructure system, including finishing the Tomahawk Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion project for our growing county ahead of schedule and under budget. Additionally, innovation is an area of strength for the County as confirmed by recent awards for the Mental Health Center’s Parent Support Programming and Department of Corrections’ Problem-Solving Bed Program for justice involved individuals experiencing homelessness. Balancing services and costs continues to be a challenge and will increase moving forward.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.