Where are you from?
Nashville TN
How did you get into the painting industry?
I’ve worked for many years in politics, marketing and consulting for nonprofits. I was brought to the PCA through a contract through my consulting company and was blown away by the amazing work of the PCA and more importantly, the remarkable members who have built this organization for 140 years. When the PCA Board of Directors asked me to stay on as the Executive Director it was an extremely easy “yes.”
When did you join the PCA?
January 2024
What’s your favorite color?
Green
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
As a child I owned an award winning showbunny – yes, they exist – named Sunshine.
What would be your last meal?
Steak and my mother’s eggplant parmesan
Three objects you’d bring to a deserted island:
1.Something to help me make fire
2.Something sharp
3. Seeds to grow food
What’s your favorite book?
Oh gosh, I have too many. I loved Devil in the White City and Middlesex. I have a 1- and 4-year-old so while I’m an avid reader I don’t get to read much these days.
Favorite musician or group?
Taylor Swift!
What’s the best movie or TV show you’ve seen in the last 12 months?
I’m really into sports and music documentaries. I loved the Ed Sheeran one on Disney Plus.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Usually my 1 year old or 4 year old calling my name.
What trait do you most admire in others?
Scrappiness – I love when people can just figure it out and GET IT DONE
Favorite place to vacation?
Europe. Though honestly I LOVE to travel and have a blast wherever I go. I think exploring the world, our country, big cities, small towns, beaches, mountains, markets, etc., is just thrilling.
What is your most treasured possession?
My husband did a remarkable job picking out my engagement ring. It’s so beautiful and was such a surprise. I also inherited my grandmother’s ruby ring when she died at 103. I had always admired it and despite the fact I have a million aunts and cousins I was the one who got it and I haven’t taken it off since.
What sport did you play as a kid?
I am extremely uncoordinated and woefully un-athletic. However, I grew into sports later and was a volleyball player in High School and was on the track team. My parents forced me to try cross county and soccer as a kid and I hated every minute of it.
What was your favorite toy?
A stuffed animal lion I gave the inspired name “Lion”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
The President of the United States of America
What toppings do you put on your pizza?
I love all kinds of pizza. Usually whatever other people want because I’ll eat it all.
Last podcast you listened to?
My friend Ron hosts a podcast called Politicology that I tune into sometimes.
What’s your personal motto?
“Say Yes”
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I hate ordering food on apps when you are at a restaurant. Give me a break from my phone people!
What’s your superpower?
I actually have a lot of superpowers. I’m great at hosting people and making them feel welcome and I really love doing it. I used to host epic dinner parties in my tiny studio apartment when I lived in DC. I spent many years as a singer, which now comes in handy at bedtime with my kids. I am extremely creative and good at seeing a bold vision along with the tactics to complete them. And I guess reading this I’m also self-confident (ha ha).
What’s your favorite animal?
I’ve always identified a lot with Flying Squirrels! They jump out of trees and somehow can fly without wings. Amazing!
What’s on your bucket list?
I would love to go on a glamping safari in Africa with my children and husband.
What’s overrated?
Protein
What’s underrated?
Babaganush
What’s your most unpopular opinion?
Going to Disneyworld with small kids is relaxing (I actually do believe this)
Do you collect anything?
Experiences
What’s your hidden talent?
I love to garden and plants love me!
If you could tell your past self one thing, what would you say?
It’s even better than you thought it was going to be
What historic event would you like to have experienced?
The glamour of air travel.
What’s the weirdest thing that ever happened to you?
I once was in charge of the logistics for getting a bald eagle that lives in Dollywood (yes, Dollywood has a preserve inside the theme park for injured birds of prey) through the U.S. Capitol for a press conference. Right in the middle of the press conference the eagle began coughing up a huge ball of mouse bones and all the pieces of a dead mouse loudly fell onto the table it was perched on while all these U.S. Senators were surrounding it for a huge photo-op with TV cameras etc. You can’t make this up!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
You can’t skip the hard work.
Who is your hero?
Mom! She’s selfless, smart, scrappy, fun, loving, giving, funny. She is everything.
What are you grateful for?
My remarkable husband David and our amazing kids William and Clara. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have them. I met my husband at a horse race when he crashed my dad’s company’s hospitality tent because his friends ran out of beer and no one was checking wristbands at the door. It was the most random meeting and we would have never found each other otherwise.
Why you should join the PCA:
We are the best place for connection, educational resources, and the only place that’s been dedicated to helping you to build a better painting company since 1884.
