What personal attributes, skills, or knowledge would you bring to the State Board of Directors if elected?
I believe that I am a personable, friendly, loyal, honest, hardworking and motivated individual with a diverse way of thinking and a willingness to accept change and challenges. In addition, I feel that growing up as an athlete afforded me the skills of being a team player, knowing when it is my turn to step in as a leader/coach and when I am needed as a member of the team to accomplish the goal at hand. Over the course of my 22 years in the field, I have worked for an agency that this cost-recovery as well as an agency that serves the community with a generous general fund. Within those two scenarios, I have had experience in serving various demographics and program areas while supervising and leading a diverse team of employees. If elected, each of the previously mentioned attributes and skill sets would be brought to the table as part of who I am and who I have become throughout my career.
Why have you chosen to run for the CPRS State Board of Directors?
I am choosing to run for the CPRS Board of Directors because I believe that it is a professional organization that played a significant role in helping me become the professional I am today. CPRS has provided me with so many opportunities, friendships, skill sets and overall confidence to pursue challenges that arise within this field. By serving on the State Board, I feel that I will have an opportunity to strengthen not only my knowledge of the changes and challenges our profession is facing but those of young professionals as well. Serving on the State Board of Directors is something that I have aspired to do since I attended my first CPRS Conference nearly 15 years ago. I knew that I wanted to sit among the greatest within our profession to learn from and share from. I truly believe that we are better together!
What is the greatest challenge our profession faces and how will you lead to address that challenge?
If I had to choose one challenge, I would have to say that it would be how we as a profession continue to prove our relevancy. With the state of our state and the fiscal challenges that are on the forefront, our field seems to be the first looked at when making budget cuts. As a member of the state board, I would encourage us all to find a way to continue to tell our stories and advocate for ourselves. We know that what we do is important, and what we do is preventative by means of providing safe spaces for our community members to keep them from engaging in alternative behaviors. As a profession, we create memories, provide safety, develop individuals, create jobs and ultimately, provide so many life-changing opportunities for every human that enters our doors. My mission would be to help other professionals in our field know their worth and empower them to share that with every person that needs to know it!