To me, design isn't making something pretty or pushing pixels around. It's a toolkit that includes storytelling and intent as well as taste, visual design principles, accessibility, and usability. My colleagues will tell you that I (all caps) CARE about making resilient products that make things better for the people that use them.

I began learning the fundamentals of design while I was growing up in my mom's flower shop. Her business grew for over 35 years because she built deep relationships with our clients and created stunning bouquets with their needs and style in mind. This commitment to human-centered design has remained at the core of my professional journey, as I've transitioned from crafting dramatic scenic elements for operas to designing ergonomic sports mascots to evaluating medical devices that keep people alive.

When I am not espousing my deeply held values of resiliency, intentional kindness, and finding joy in growth, I am usually obsessing over new recipes or traveling as much as my dog sitter will let me. The rest of my free time is spent renovating my 100+ year old home in Minneapolis, trying to grow flowers and veggies, and waking up at all hours on weekends to watch Formula One.