{ MY STORY }

In 2001, after earning a Bachelor of Arts and working at an advertising agency, I felt frustrated — like design could be used to do so much more than just "make things look pretty".

In search of a deeper definition of design, I moved to Pittsburgh, PA to work on a Master of Design degree at Carnegie Mellon University. During my two years at CMU I developed a knowledge structure focused on human-centered design principles. For my thesis essay I explored the role of empathy in design thinking. And for my thesis project I conceptualized a volunteer service for the aging population called 'Boomer-Rang' and designed material to support the service.

After grad school, I moved to Wilmington, NC and worked with a marketing firm for three years. I expanded the company's services to include strategic marketing plans and collaborated with designers to create research-driven creative concepts and award-winning marketing campaigns for resort communities.

In March 2006, I was recruited to work for an Australian design firm that helps organizations create cultures that support strategy and innovation. During my time in Sydney, I gained unbelievable experience in the art of strategic conversation, design management and qualitative research conducted to inform the design of products and services. Under the wing of a high school English teacher turned CEO, I worked closely with clients, explaining each step of the creative process. As we learned about their business needs, they learned about design. This is when my itch to teach started.

My husband's employment brought us back to the United States in July 2007. Soon after relocating, I began working at Talk, Inc. - a branding and communications agency in Wilmington, NC. At Talk, I provided creative direction on design projects, developed brand strategies, managed multiple accounts, co-facilitated workshops, created visual models to simplify complexity, planned multiple events and updated the agency's online portfolio.

In January 2009, I started teaching at High Point University and then at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington. I am now a design lecturer at James Cook University - Townsville in Australia. I really enjoy working with students and hope to ignite creative power in as many young folks as I can.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our son and MY crazy cat. You can usually catch us watching basketball, drinking coffee or listening to music. As far as music goes, I tend to like folk rock best, but mostly I appreciate good songwriting and honesty in music. A passion of my own is writing songs that tell people's life stories. Two of my favorite singer-songwriters are Patty Griffin and Todd Snider.

I also enjoy running, photography, theater, yoga, painting and learning about Australian culture.