my story.

From my early days drawing picture books at my little white table, expressing my creativity was my favorite activity. That love of creativity found new outlets over the years — in theatre, storytelling, and eventually in digital design. I taught myself InDesign and Illustrator after college, and by 2013, I’d found my way into user experience design. For more than a decade, I’ve been designing digital products and services that help people navigate complexity.

I’ve never followed a conventional path. In 2016, I left my native Minnesota and moved to Australia, fulfilling a long-time dream. I became a citizen in 2021, and the years I spent living in different cities there stretched my comfort zone in ways I never could’ve imagined — from adapting to new cultures and work environments to discovering the depths of my resilience and creativity.

In 2024, while exploring Western Australia, I met a German solo traveler. After hiking and camping our way down the coast, we decided to keep the adventure going. Now I’m starting a new chapter in Kiel, Germany, expanding my comfort zone once more.

Recently, I’ve stepped back to rethink the kind of work I want to do. Since 2020, I’ve developed a deep curiosity about the environment and climate. Nature gives me energy, joy, and calm — especially near the ocean — and I want to help protect the wild places I love.

I believe design thinking has a powerful role to play in building systems that work for both people and the planet. The same skills I’ve used to understand user needs and shape better experiences can also help reimagine how we use resources, manage waste, and support more sustainable ways of living.