My professional path has taken me through marketing operations and communications roles, where I have worn many hats. That journey began in undergrad, when a group of classmates and I launched a craft brewery passport as part of our senior capstone program. The Northern Ale Guide was a unique marketing tool supporting the booming craft brewing industry in Minnesota at the time. This gave me an early taste of what a growing industry looks like and the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

After graduating, I entered the workforce in marketing at a local technology firm, Datatrend, which was acquired in 2019 by Converge Technology Solutions. I spent more than seven years working in marketing communications and serving as a close partner to the Director of Marketing.

After being laid off last summer, I took time to reflect on what I truly value in my work. That pause helped me recognize how important it is for me to foster authentic connections and contribute meaningfully to my community. During that period, I continued honing my skills in design, digital content, and creative production.

When I joined CEEM part time this fall, it quickly felt like the right place for me. The work aligned with both my professional strengths and my personal values, which made the transition feel natural. I believe strongly in the power of storytelling to build connection, inspire stewardship, and strengthen engagement.

Why CEEM?

Many people in my generation feel overwhelmed by the state of our planet. I believe a brighter future is possible, but only through coordinated and purpose driven action. That is why CEEM’s nonpartisan approach resonates so deeply with me. It creates space for inclusive and productive collaboration, which is essential to meaningful progress.

Minnesota has an opportunity to serve as a national model, not only in powering our state with clean energy, but in demonstrating how we get there. Energy touches everyone’s life every day, yet it often goes unnoticed. As we transition to a clean energy future, it is critical that we take a holistic approach and ensure energy efficiency and access to clean energy are treated as fundamental for all.

I am thrilled to be joining the CEEM team at such an important moment for clean energy, Minnesota’s transition, and our shared future. It feels both exciting and humbling to step into this work full time.

I grew up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where two things were constants in my life: sports and nature. I was a multi-sport athlete growing up, and eventually found my home on the volleyball court. Team sports shaped how I approach my work and relationships. They taught me the value of working toward a shared goal, communicating clearly, knowing when to speak up and when to listen, and giving and receiving feedback in real time. They also instilled a strong sense of accountability and responsibility, and an understanding that individual actions always affect the broader team.

Nature was the other steady presence in my life. Spending much of my summers camping with my family in parks across Wisconsin made nature feel personal rather than abstract. This foundation instilled a sense of belonging in the natural world rather than a sense of separation from it. I grew to believe in protecting these spaces not because I was taught to, but because I felt the connection firsthand and formed that commitment through lived experience. When children learn to love nature, they grow into adults who protect it.

I moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and studied Marketing & Entrepreneurial Management at the Carlson school of Management. I love this city and decided to make it my home. I currently live in Minneapolis with my dazzling partner, Katy, along with our cat, Cleo, and our dog, Peppers.