VOTE411 Voter Guide

My husband and I have lived in Whatcom County for 25 years working, raising our two sons, and actively engaging in this community we love. For 20 years, I owned and operated a small business, gaining firsthand experience with the challenges local businesses face and the important role they play. I was also deeply involved in our schools for 12 years where I worked to advance equity and opportunity for all students.

In the past five years, I’ve helped lead key community initiatives including addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis, improving youth mental health, expanding housing solutions, and supporting tribal-led environmental advocacy. Through this work, I’ve seen how collaboration and community-driven action can create real change.

My diverse experiences have uniquely prepared me to serve on the County Council as someone who can listen and learn from a wide range of people, make difficult decisions, and effectively lead on our county’s biggest issues.

While this is my first time running for office, public service has always been a central part of my life. Growing up, dinner table conversations in my family often centered on what was happening in the community and how we could help. That sense of responsibility stayed with me, shaping my values and fueling a lifelong commitment to service.

As a small business owner, I led a major annual fundraiser and made it a priority to support as many community initiatives as I could. For 12 years, I served in leadership roles in our local PTAs, not only supporting our own school but also advocating for equity and opportunity across the entire district.

Today, I continue that work as a board member of the YWCA, where we focus on supporting unsheltered women and children. I’ve always believed that public service isn’t just about holding office. It’s about showing up, listening, and helping build stronger communities.

Housing: I will champion creative, bold solutions to expand affordable housing, maximize in-fill to limit urban sprawl, and streamline permitting. I’ll work across sectors to prioritize investments that support working families, reduce displacement, and meet both immediate and long-term needs.

Public Health: I will advocate for investments that improve access to green spaces, behavioral health care, preventative services, and childcare, especially in underserved communities. We need to build on efforts like the Healthy Children’s Fund and address the root causes of poor health by working across public health, housing, and economic development.

Justice System Reimagined: I will continue the momentum behind the Justice Project by ensuring that our new jail and behavioral health center reflect values of dignity, treatment, and accountability. That means meaningful diversion programs, adequate behavioral health care, and policy reforms that reduce incarceration rates.

While every community in Whatcom County has its own unique needs and priorities, I believe we share more common ground than we often realize. To create consensus around our most pressing issues, from water adjudication to housing, I believe we must prioritize stronger communication and more intentional opportunities to bring diverse communities together. If elected, I will continue to meaningfully engage with unions, Tribal nations, small businesses, and countless other groups and individuals of diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and identities by meeting people where they are. Rather than expecting people to come to long and potentially inconvenient council meetings, I will regularly meet with these groups and individuals so that we can build relationships and find solutions that work for everyone. Through stronger communications, we can increase community understanding and buy-in and move forward together.

My years as a school administrator, a Federal Programs Director for ELL and Migrant Students and as a school principal have prepared me to lead with compassion, integrity, and accountability. In that role, I’ve managed complex systems, navigated crises, built trust with families and staff, and advocated for what’s best for children and the broader community. Through the school I work within the school system and with community resources to help support families and students as needed.

I’ve served on a school district bond and levy committee, working with a team of community members to help ensure public resources aligned with community needs and priorities. I also currently serve on a Civil Service Commission, which has deepened my understanding of the needs to support our first responders with the resources they need.

These combined experiences have given me a strong foundation in leadership, collaboration, and public accountability, leadership skills I’m ready to bring to office.

My public service includes education, where I serve as an elementary school principal committed to creating a safe, supportive, and hopeful learning environment. In that role, I managed state and federal funds to meet student needs and advance school goals, ensuring resources were used effectively and aligned with our purpose.

Beyond school leadership, I’ve been active in broader civic service. I served on a district bond and levy committee, helping shape responsible funding strategies for our schools. I also currently serve on a Civil Service Commission, supporting fair and transparent hiring practices and advocating for our first responders.

Across all these roles, I’ve remained focused on stewardship, equity, and building community trust through action.

Communities that feel safe thrive, I support approaches to public safety and supporting our first responders with the resources they need, and addressing mental health crisis response with trauma-informed practices. Public safety should be the priority of the local government. Why this matters: Everyone should feel safe in the communities where they live.

I've seen firsthand how unaddressed mental health needs impact children and families. I believe we must invest in accessible, community-based behavioral health care; integrated with schools, providers, and social services to offer support before a crisis hits. Why this matters: Preventive care and wraparound services are essential to long-term well-being and dignity.

Everyone should have a safe place to call home. I will advocate for policies that support affordable housing, tenant protections, and collaborative solutions to prevent displacement. Why this matters: Stable housing is not only a basic need, it provides stability.

Balancing the needs of different communities begins with listening. As a school principal, I lead a diverse school community and work closely with families from all backgrounds. I know that people often want the same thing, safety, opportunity, and support.

I would approach this role by being present in communities across the county, building relationships, and making space for those who haven’t always felt heard in local decision making. I believe in collaborative problem-solving and the belief that we all matter and we can move forward with solutions. I bring experience with servant leadership.

At the core, it’s about leading with empathy, equity, and a deep commitment to the idea that everyone matters. My approach would center on service, transparency, and hope by ensuring our systems respond fairly and meaningfully to the unique strengths and needs of each community.

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