About
I’m running for the Osseo Area School Board because strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities — and because every student in our district deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in a safe, welcoming, and academically excellent environment.
Public education shaped my life. The teachers who believed in me helped me discover confidence, purpose, and opportunities I never expected. That’s why I’m running — to make sure every student in our community has access to those same opportunities.
My roots in public education
I grew up in Brooklyn Park and New Brighton, attending public schools in both the Anoka-Hennepin and Mounds View school districts. Like many students, my path wasn’t defined only by academics. It was shaped by educators who saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself.
Education has always been part of my family’s story. My grandmother was a third-grade public school teacher, and my mother worked as a parent educator, helping families support their children’s learning and development. Their example instilled in me an early respect for educators and a deep belief in the power of public education to change lives.
My public school teachers changed the course of my life. Whether it was a creative writing teacher who pushed me to think more deeply, a pre-calculus teacher who made learning engaging through humor, or a choir teacher who helped me find my voice, each of them saw something in me and helped bring it out.
Those experiences didn’t just shape my education. They shaped who I became.
That’s stayed with me. Great teachers don’t just teach subjects, they change lives.
And it’s what drives me now — to make sure every student in our district has educators who see them, support them, and help them grow.
It’s why I believe so strongly that educators deserve our respect, trust, and support.
Why Osseo Area Schools
My husband Chris and I chose to make our forever home in the Osseo Area School District because we fell in love with this community and the people who make it special.
As a resident and taxpayer, I want our public schools to be places of academic excellence, where students are challenged, supported, and prepared for whatever future they choose.
Before becoming a software engineer, I worked on-site with school districts across the country through a K–12 administrative software company. That experience gave me a firsthand look at what it takes to run a school system, and the people who make it work every day.
While going back to school for software engineering, I worked for Wayzata Public Schools in their technology department, assisting with their state reporting needs and migration to a newer version of their student information system.
I’ve worked alongside educators, administrators, and support staff at every level — from cafeteria workers to building principals — and I’ve seen the dedication, care, and effort it takes to support students well. That perspective stays with me.
Here in our community, I’ve also supported student organizations and activities that help young people feel connected and engaged, whether through creative projects, community experiences, or opportunities to build confidence and discover their interests.
Because at the end of the day, belonging matters. When students feel supported and connected, they are better able to learn, grow, and succeed.
And that’s the kind of school system I believe in — one that challenges students, supports educators, and keeps the focus where it belongs: on our kids.
Listening before leading
My decision to run for school board didn’t happen overnight.
In 2024, I started regularly attending school board meetings and reviewing past discussions to better understand how decisions were being made, and how they were impacting students, families, and educators.
Over time, I noticed something that concerned me. Conversations were becoming less focused on student outcomes and more focused on issues that were dividing our community.
I believe our schools work best when we stay centered on what matters most — strong academics, support for educators, and safe, welcoming environments for every student.
At a certain point, listening wasn’t enough.
Speaking publicly for the first time was intimidating. But I believed the stakes were too important to stay silent.
Since then, I’ve continued to show up, listen, and engage with people across our community (whether they agree with me or challenge my perspective) because better conversations lead to better decisions.
And that’s the kind of leadership I believe our district needs.
Professional experience & problem solving
Professionally, I work as a software engineer for a locally grown e-commerce platform, where I help organizations solve complex problems by bringing together data, people, and real-world needs.
My work often involves listening to different perspectives, making sense of complicated information, and helping teams move forward with clear, practical solutions.
I regularly lead trainings and workshops, support large-scale projects, and work directly with teams to navigate challenges, often under tight timelines and with a lot at stake.
Those experiences translate directly to school board service.
Good decisions don’t happen in isolation. They require listening carefully, weighing evidence, understanding different viewpoints, and staying focused on outcomes that truly serve students.
That’s the approach I bring: thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded in practical solutions that make a real difference.
What I believe
I believe:
- Public schools should be safe, thriving environments where students can discover who they are and build a strong foundation for their future.
- Students deserve access to a high-quality education supported by educators who are invested in their success.
- Teachers deserve respect, time to collaborate, and the resources they need to do their jobs well.
- Families deserve confidence that their children are learning in welcoming environments that prepare them for life beyond graduation.
- School boards work best when members collaborate respectfully and keep students — not politics — at the center of every decision.
Even when we don’t agree, I believe listening with respect leads to better outcomes.
And that’s the kind of leadership I will bring — focused, thoughtful, and always centered on what’s best for students.
Life outside the boardroom
Outside of work, Chris and I love getting outside, whether that’s backpacking, camping, or traveling whenever we get the chance. We share our home with Valkyrie, our outgoing tabby cat, and Boogle, our mischievous miniature schnauzer who definitely thinks he runs the house.
I’m also a big trivia nerd. I regularly compete in marathon trivia events that bring teams together from across Minnesota and beyond. Some of them last more than 50 hours straight!
It might sound a little intense, but for me it’s just fun. I love the teamwork, the problem-solving, and the shared energy of working toward something together, even if that something is remembering a random fact at 3 a.m.
I’m running for school board because our community succeeds when our schools succeed.
By keeping students at the center of every decision, supporting educators, and working collaboratively to solve challenges, we can ensure Osseo Area Schools remain a place where every student has the opportunity to thrive — today and for generations to come.
I’d be honored to earn your support.