Do you lean into Myers Briggs, Enneagram or another leadership/personality test? If so, what has it helped you learn about yourself?

As a Myers-Briggs: ENFJ. Enneagram: Type 4. DISC: i, I love a good personality test! These assessments have helped me recognize that my uniqueness is one of my greatest strengths. While I have always aspired to be different, my greatest attribute has always been—and I hope always will be—my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. We each experience the world through our own lens, and understanding that every person carries different perspectives has helped me navigate countless situations, professionally and personally. At our core, I believe most people share one common desire: to be loved and accepted for who they authentically are. These assessments remind me that my purpose is to appreciate people for exactly who they are and let the rest of life unfold from there. 

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of two things: becoming a woman my family is proud of and showing up for others without hesitation, especially the people I love. I often think my grandfather, who has since passed away, would beam with pride knowing who I have become—a farm girl who grew into someone driven, compassionate, and just a little stubborn. It is never lost on me how much sacrifice my grandparents and sister made to help raise me. Every day, I hope they feel proud to say I am a product of their kindness, love, and unwavering devotion. My family means the world to me, and I strive to live each day as a reflection of the values they instilled in me, and embodying their values is what I carry the most pride in. 

Share an example of a time you stepped out of your comfort zone or did something that surprised you.

One of the biggest leaps I’ve ever taken was uprooting my life and moving to Austin, Texas. I had never been there, didn’t know a single person, and decided to take the chance anyway. That decision changed the trajectory of my life. It gave me the confidence to continue taking risks—moving two more times, starting my own company, and traveling the world alone. More importantly, it taught me that I am capable of building community wherever I go. Once I realized I could start over from scratch and thrive, I knew I could handle just about anything. Before that move, I had never imagined a life outside of Indiana or dreamed of the opportunities and adventures that would follow.

What’s the last novel you read?

When Breath Becomes Air—a reread, and still my favorite book. I highly recommend it.

What’s one way you’ve been able to give back to your community? If you could do anything to help your community, what would it be?

If I could do anything to help my community, it would be to help Hoosiers recognize just how special their own backyard is. Indiana is full of intelligent, kind, and deeply capable people who possess a strength that often goes overlooked: the ability to genuinely connect with others. I would encourage people to see that investing in change here only makes our communities stronger. I would spend my time supporting organizations that serve our children, uplift those in need, and strengthen the communities around us.

Since moving home, I’ve had the opportunity to give back in ways that have been deeply meaningful to me. I’ve volunteered with the Literacy Alliance, supported reading scholarship initiatives through the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, donated to and supported the Women’s Fund, volunteered with my alumni high school’s volleyball program, and participated in LSN Academy. If I had unlimited time, I would gladly volunteer with two dozen more organizations. I would do everything I could to remind people that Indiana is a wonderful place to live—and an even better place to thrive.

What has been your favorite LSN experience?

Being part of this year’s LSN Academy has genuinely changed my life. As cliché as that may sound, I mean it wholeheartedly. It inspired me to launch my own consulting firm, gave me the confidence to move to Indianapolis, and introduced me to relationships that simply would not have existed otherwise. LSN has profoundly shaped how I approach the next chapter of my career, and the people I’ve met along the way have become lifelong friends, colleagues, and collaborators. Most importantly, it has renewed my pride in Indiana and reminded me of what’s possible when people come together to build stronger communities. I couldn’t be more grateful to have spent this year learning alongside individuals who are committed to making our state even better.