I want to see our city thrive. You deserve to live in a safe and affordable community with family-wage jobs. I want to be your advocate, ensure your voice is heard, and make Tacoma the city you deserve. That’s why I’m running for council.
Early Life
I grew up in the Midwest in a middle-class family. I have always admired both my mom and dad. My dad was one of nine children. His first home was a rental where all 11 in his family shared one bathroom! Neither of his parents went to college, but they taught him the value of hard work and education. My father applied himself and was fortunate to earn a full ride scholarship to Harvard University.
My mother was a devout Catholic who became a nun but was forced to leave the convent when she developed Multiple Sclerosis. Her MS limited her ability to have a paying job but gave my three brothers and me the gift of an always-present mom who showered us with love and taught us the value of hard work and education. She passed away in 1999.
When I was growing up, my dad worked in the automotive industry. We moved frequently as he took every job transfer offered to better provide for his growing family. The moves gave me the gift of learning to make new friends and adapt to life’s ever-changing circumstances.
College & Early Career
My parents instilled in me their strong work ethic. I worked many jobs from the time I was 12 through high school, including babysitting and various retail jobs. This enabled me to help with living expenses while attending the University of Michigan. I then put myself through law school at George Washington University with loans and money I earned from summer work at law firms in D.C., New York City, and San Francisco.
After graduating with honors from law school, I took a job in San Francisco, working in land use and environmental law. That position required long hours, but one weekend I managed to get away for a trip to Seattle which ultimately changed my life. While there, I met my husband and fell in love with him and the Pacific Northwest, and a few years later moved here. I continued my practice of law with Heller Ehrman and then at the King County Prosecutor’s office as a Senior Deputy Prosecutor.
Starting a Family & Small Business
Like so many couples, we struggled to have children. After some time, we decided to adopt Amelia, who is now 17 years old. And about five months after Amelia was born, as luck would have it, I gave birth to Dolan, now 16 years old.
In 2005 my husband and I purchased the building that had been the Osbourne-McCann Cadillac dealership on South Tacoma Way. We love Tacoma’s historic buildings and decided to transform the Cadillac dealership into the stunning building it is today. My husband ran the renovation (and laid the 7,000 square feet of slate himself with a team). In 2011, I launched a new career by opening my business, Historic 1625, an award-winning event venue, helping newlyweds make lasting memories and nonprofits raise vital funds for their operations.
Advocacy & Community Involvement
During the pandemic, when the event industry was severely impacted, I became active civically. The government quickly took steps to keep people safe, but many small business owners fell through the cracks. Overnight, event space owners, caterers, photographers, and other connected service providers had no source of revenue. Large corporations and industries had lobbyists and trade groups to advocate for them, but companies like mine did not have a voice—at least not one loud enough to be heard.
We needed to be heard. In 2020, I launched the Washington State Wedding and Event Advocates with a group of leaders in the event industry so that small business owners like me could work together to speak with one much louder voice. I devoted time to meeting with government officials to craft solutions that would keep the public safe while helping our industry weather the crisis.
Following that success, together with a group of business owners in Tacoma, I launched the Tacoma Business Council (TBC) to advocate for greater public safety in Tacoma. Small businesses are impacted significantly by property crime that puts employees and customers at physical risk and causes significant financial harm. As President of TBC, I have spoken with many businesses that are considering closing or moving as a result. These small businesses provide family-wage jobs and significant tax revenue that pays for vital city services. We have worked with the city to devote more resources to street-level property crime. I’m pleased our efforts resulted in a new property-crime initiative from the Tacoma Police Department.
I also strongly believe in public service. Since 2018, I have volunteered for the Coffee Oasis to help Tacoma’s 13-17 years olds experiencing homelessness. The Coffee Oasis is a nonprofit providing shelter and wrap-around services to these youth. Five years ago, I joined a team of Tacoma citizens who worked to bring the Coffee Oasis to Tacoma and to raise the money needed to open a shelter in Tacoma for our hundreds of youth living on the streets. At the time, there was no overnight shelter for these children. I have remained a dedicated volunteer ever since, doing everything from bringing meals to repeatedly hosting their annual auctions and serving on the Auction Committee. Most recently, I have been working as a key member of the Capital Campaign to raise the funds they need to purchase the building where the shelter is located.
But more must be done.
I want to see our city thrive. You deserve to live in a safe and affordable community with family-wage jobs. I want to be your advocate, ensure your voice is heard, and make Tacoma the city you deserve. That’s why I’m running for council.