3 Fun Facts 
- I enjoy black licorice (weird right?!).
- I’m an avid cyclist.
- I piloted an aircraft across downtown London England at only 1,500 feet above the ground.
What would you tell your younger self about economic development?
Economic growth has so many dynamics to consider and requires a proactive, forward-looking approach to plan for the future. There are so many stakeholders to consider. It takes a village to plan for economic growth and do it right. Always be learning and listening to areas where you can plug in and provide insights.
What’s something you wish you knew before starting your current role?
I would say that I am still learning how government truly works; so more experience in government practices. There are so many nuances depending on the organization that we are partnering with and of course in certain organizations, including the labor teams is important.
Who do you look up to in the field, and what advice might you give young professionals about mentorship?
The role of a City Manager has always been intriguing to me. What a diverse role with so many working parts that all need to align to be successful. Mentoring has been a ginormous part of my professional and personal life. I have benefited greatly with the mentors who have poured into me. Having a trusted mentor in my life who has provided me with different viewpoints and alternative approaches has been critical to my successes.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming economic developers?
Always be expanding your network of relationships throughout your career and stay in touch. Have a mindset of “how can I support or help this person”. Take time to really get to know each person and be intentional in building a strong diverse group of fellow professionals that can support and provide input to you throughout your career.
What’s a recent economic development/career win you have experienced?
At Know Your Talents (KYT) we are honored to work very closely with Public Service, specifically, Fire and Police. Being able to work alongside several Fire Chiefs in Scottsdale, Rio Rico, Glendale, Mesa and other districts to support their teams in areas like; leadership development, succession planning, coaching, and team dynamics is a very rewarding career win for me personally and KYT professionally. By serving these great Public Service organizations, we are equipping them to serve their communities even better.
