Experience

Douglas County Kansas

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• County Commissioner (elected)

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  Douglas County, KS > Elected after a 3-way primary race -- currently representing 40,000+ residents. > Convene weekly public meetings with other Commissioners where county business is conducted – including new policy + regulation decisions, approval of contracts, advisory board appointments, etc. > Vote on a wide-variety of issues – including land use, infrastructure, public safety, and investment in local mental/behavioral health+ human services for the residents of our county. > Conduct… Show more > Elected after a 3-way primary race -- currently representing 40,000+ residents. > Convene weekly public meetings with other Commissioners where county business is conducted – including new policy + regulation decisions, approval of contracts, advisory board appointments, etc. > Vote on a wide-variety of issues – including land use, infrastructure, public safety, and investment in local mental/behavioral health+ human services for the residents of our county. > Conduct budget process with public hearings and final vote to allocate over $140 million in annual tax dollars that fund statutorily state-mandated services + varied community partner agreements. > Partner with community members + public entities to address acute community issues (i.e. housing). Show less



Willow Domestic Violence Center

• United States
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Assistant Director of Court Advocacy

  • Feb 2013 - Present

  Douglas County, KS > Empower survivors through court processes such as filing protection orders, testifying in the prosecution of someone who harmed them, or navigating their own criminal charges. > Offer direct referrals to legal services + private lawyers, therapists, & other community resources. > Provide systems advocacy as requested by survivors when they attend court hearings, case plans, or other meetings. > Collaborate with local systems and varied community partners to best serve… Show more > Empower survivors through court processes such as filing protection orders, testifying in the prosecution of someone who harmed them, or navigating their own criminal charges. > Offer direct referrals to legal services + private lawyers, therapists, & other community resources. > Provide systems advocacy as requested by survivors when they attend court hearings, case plans, or other meetings. > Collaborate with local systems and varied community partners to best serve survivors. > Developed annotated forms & quick reference guides to train staff/volunteers about court processes. > Established routine support groups + curriculum for trauma survivors at local county jails. Show less



Roger Hill Volunteer Ctr

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Volunteer Coordinator

  • Aug 2011 - Jan 2013

  Transitioning from my AmeriCorps year of service, I helped grow the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center's capacity to provide support to Volunteer Coordinators at agencies throughout Douglas County, Kansas. I helped local agencies promote their volunteer opportunities, recruit for skilled volunteers, and increase their retention of volunteers. I coordinated multiple community-wide service days with several projects happening simultaneously, and assisted student groups and other civic… Show more Transitioning from my AmeriCorps year of service, I helped grow the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center's capacity to provide support to Volunteer Coordinators at agencies throughout Douglas County, Kansas. I helped local agencies promote their volunteer opportunities, recruit for skilled volunteers, and increase their retention of volunteers. I coordinated multiple community-wide service days with several projects happening simultaneously, and assisted student groups and other civic organizations in finding volunteer service projects to do year-round. Additionally, I developed a local "Summer of Service" youth volunteer program, that provided 20+ hours of volunteer opportunities on a weekly basis to middle and high school students during the summer.

• AmeriCorps Member

  • Aug 2010 - Jul 2011

  Served a 1 year term as an AmeriCorps Member focused on volunteer engagement at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center in Lawrence-Douglas County, Kansas.



N/A - Self Employed

• Childcare Provider

  • Sep 2009 - Jul 2010

  (for a private family in NYC) Provided care for 2 children, ages 4 and 6, for approximately 25-35 hours per week. Typical days included school pick-up and drop-off, homework help, meal preparation, play dates, and extracurricular activities children were involved in.



Brooklyn Industries

• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales Associate/Key Holder

  • Aug 2007 - Aug 2009

  Worked as a retail sales associate for Crypto, Inc. (Brooklyn Industries) in Park Slope, Brooklyn for 2 years. One year of my time spent there was as a Key Holder, responsible for opening and closing the store and supervising other associates when the Manager or Assistant Manager were not on duty.



Groundwork Inc.

• United States
• Individual and Family Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• AmeriCorps VISTA Member

  • Aug 2006 - Jul 2007

  Served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member for one year at a Brooklyn, NY organization called Groundwork, Inc. Most of my work was focused on building relationships and partnerships with other social service agencies in the East New York and Brownsville neighborhoods, in the interest of providing community members with well-rounded services.



Fiver Children's Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• LEAD Program Director

  • Jun 2006 - Aug 2006

  Worked as the LEAD (Leadership Education And Development) Program Director for 15-16 year old campers at the Fiver Children's Foundation Summer Camp in Upstate New York. I directly supervised camp counselors for the 15-16 year old cabins, created ethics curriculum, conducted 'Teen Topics' sessions, provided wilderness education, and coordinated volunteer projects for the teen campers.



University of Kansas Department of Student Housing

• Residence Hall Desk/Security Attendent

  • Aug 2005 - May 2006

  Worked at the front desks of two KU Residence Halls. Provided information to residents, distributed mail, answered phones, and provided building security at Ellsworth and McCollum Halls.



Fiver Children's Foundation

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Camp Counselor

  • Jun 2005 - Aug 2005

  Worked as a camp counselor for children ranging in age from 8-17 years old. Provided support to campers, lead Activity Learning classes, supervised a specific cabin of 6-12 campers, and worked with the team of camp counselors and progarm directors to develop meaningful and fun programs for all Fiver campers.



University of Kansas Department of Student Housing

• Resident Assistant

  • Aug 2004 - May 2005

  Served as an RA for one floor of residents in Hashinger Hall. Provided emotional, academic, and informational support to my residents, as well as the residents in the rest of the building, created social and academic programming for residents, and helped new students navigate life on campus.