Rural living has shaped me into the person that I am today. Growing up on my family’s cattle ranch in northwest Missouri, my mother jokes that I was literally “raised in a barn,” as countless hours were spent there doing chores and riding my horses.
My dad purchased the land from my grandfather in 1989, keeping it in the family after the 1980s farm crisis. I am one of three girls, and my sisters and I grew up stacking small square bales, feeding bottle calves, and enjoying the unique experiences that farm life had to offer. We learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and resilience from a young age, skills that have served me well throughout my life.
I have always had a strong sense of what I believe is fair and right, along with a love of reading and writing, traits that guided me down my path of higher education. My undergraduate studies took me to Northwest Missouri State University, where I majored in political science with a minor in English. I then pursued my law degree at the University of Nebraska. My academic journey was fueled by a desire to understand the intricacies of governance and the power of words, a combination that allowed me to delve into the principles of justice, policy making, and effective communication.
After graduating from law school in 2024, life brought me to the Center for Rural Affairs. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of an organization where I get to work on issues so close to my heart with equally passionate colleagues. As I care deeply about the long-term sustainability of rural communities, I find great fulfillment in working on renewable energy policy. I strive to aid in creating a future for rural America that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable, emphasizing the importance of allowing landowners to use their land as they see fit, ensuring they have a voice in decisions that impact their livelihoods and communities.
Working at the Center has allowed me to combine my passion for rural living with my love for policy work, advocating for policies and initiatives that benefit those who call rural America home. It's incredibly rewarding to be able to contribute to a tangible difference in the lives of people and communities that share the same values and experiences that I do. The opportunity to make a positive impact on rural communities is both a privilege and a responsibility that I cherish deeply. Every day I am inspired by the resilience and ingenuity of the people I work with and serve, and I am proud to be part of an organization that is making a positive impact on rural America.
Outside of work, you can often find me gardening with my husband, reading a good book, trying out new recipes, and participating in a variety of activities with my German shorthaired pointers.
