3 Fun Facts 
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My fiancé and I have been on the jumbotron at many major sporting events, including the 2023 World Series (Go Dbacks!)
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I can recite most Will Ferrell movies word for word, with Anchorman being a favorite.
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I recently started roller skating—it’s fun, but I haven’t figured out how to brake yet!
What would you tell your younger self about economic development?
I would tell my younger self that playing Sim City can lead to a real career! Joking aside, my advice is to be confident— many people, including myself, transition into economic development from other career fields. Initially economic development can be very intimidating, and it doesn’t always come with a standard playbook. I’ve learned that so many skills are transferrable – from marketing to planning and project management. Having confidence in myself has helped me to overcome those initial hurdles and helped me to feel like I belong and can progress in economic development.
What’s something you wish you knew before starting your current role?
Before starting my current role, I wish I had known that the most meaningful part—community engagement and public participation—would also be the most challenging. I believe in developing projects with people in mind and providing an effective platform for the community to incorporate their input and vision can often be complex. Working on redevelopment in Downtown Phoenix is rewarding because it involves both preserving history and culture while shaping the future. I see redevelopment as a before-and-after picture, where the communities’ history and stories are just as important as what future development can be.
Who do you look up to in the field, and what advice might you give young professionals about mentorship?
I look up to many people in the field, including James Smith, Michelle Pierson, Chris Mackay, and my mentor Mike Zamora. All of whom have exemplary leadership qualities and I’m always learning something new from their wealth of knowledge and life experiences. Mentorship has been crucial in helping me navigate my career path, especially when I felt stagnant and was at a crossroads in my previous career. Mentorship taught me how to explore career possibilities through informational interviews and it opened up valuable opportunities that led me to economic development. I highly recommend young professionals find a mentor that you look up to, ask a lot of questions, and step out of your comfort zone.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming economic developers?
My advice for up-and-coming economic developers is to never stop learning. This career field offers numerous specializations and ample room for growth, making continuous education essential. Participating in programs like the Arizona Economic Development Professional (AZED Pro) certification has been instrumental in broadening my knowledge beyond my daily responsibilities and has kickstarted my path to other certifications within economic development. I highly recommend participating in any AAED continuing education opportunities.
What’s a recent economic development/career win you have experienced?
Leading the City of Phoenix Downtown Redevelopment Area Plan Update has been a significant undertaking and career milestone for me. The original plan was adopted almost 45 years ago, and Downtown Phoenix has evolved and experienced rapid growth since then. This project has provided an opportunity for me to engage with diverse communities and organizations throughout downtown to incorporate their feedback and vision for redevelopment across a variety of topics such as development, mobility, housing, etc. Applying my urban planning knowledge, I’ve helped to design and facilitate high-level visioning sessions with various downtown stakeholders to inform the plan and guide future redevelopment efforts. Upon adoption, the plan will help to align downtown redevelopment efforts with the community’s aspirations and support sustainable growth.
