When I was growing up in Bend it was still a small city. By the time I graduated from Bend Senior High, I had already watched our city grow and change.

After college in Michigan, I returned to Oregon for law school at Lewis & Clark. I couldn’t stay away from the Pacific Northwest for long.

I began my career in public service as a state prosecutor, where I saw the barriers crime victims faced getting justice in our legal system. That led me to become a victims’ rights attorney for the non-profit Oregon Crime Victims Law Center in Portland.

When the opportunity arose to transfer to Bend, I was thrilled at the chance to raise my daughter in the beautiful town where I grew up. In 2020, I was honored to be elected to the City Council.

In my career so far, I’ve learned to listen to all voices, not just those I agree with. I’ve also learned the power of cooperation and collaboration.

Those skills have helped me collaborate with fellow City Councilors over the years. We’ve worked to take on the housing crisis, invest in equity and inclusion, start work on safer, more connected ways to get around town, take a strong stance on protection of our environment, and plan for a safer and more sustainable future.

I’m proud of the progress we’ve made. As your mayor, I stand ready to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities Bend will encounter in the coming years.