Biography
I’ll cut right to the chase: I would be honored to serve as your next mayor!
As someone who has directly served Minnesotans since I arrived in 2016, reengaging in public service at the local government level just makes sense.
Originally from Arizona, by way of Massachusetts, I arrived in Rochester, Minnesota in 2016 to begin my year-long predoctoral internship at the federal prison. During that time, I worked with incarcerated individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Returning to Massachusetts for several months after my internship, I ultimately made the decision to come back to Minnesota in 2018 when I was offered a postdoctoral level psychologist position at a forensic psychiatric facility. I provided direct care and treatment to civilly committed individuals with complex mental health and legal challenges.
By 2020 I had put down roots and decided it was time to not just live and work in Minnesota. It was time to start giving back to the community! I announced my intent to run just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and then I filed my campaign paperwork the week prior to George Floyd’s murder. Needless to say, campaign season and my subsequent 4-year term was unlike any other time in history in Minnesota. Who knew school board meetings would ever be so exciting and consistently newsworthy?
During my tenure on the School Board, I changed jobs to work closer to home. I worked as a licensed psychologist and then outpatient program manager at a local community mental health organization. I was responsible for a number of things, but the most rewarding was being a part of the state certified Dialectical Behavioral Therapy-Intensive Outpatient Program (DBT-IOP).
In 2023 I was appointed to serve on the Minnesota Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans as a result of my proven dedication and commitment to the queer community in Minnesota. Broadly speaking, the council advises the Governor and legislature on the issues facing the queer community. We achieve this by serving as a liaison between our state government and community organizations, conducting studies to identify issues and solutions for problems the community experiences, and identifying how current and proposed legislation impacts the community.
In 2024 I returned to the forensic psychiatric facility as an administrator where I currently fulfill the roles of being the assistant direct of the psychology department and internship training director for our nationally accredited predoctoral internship program. Additionally, I’ve spent many months now supporting our neighbors who are negatively impacted by the presence of ICE in our communities. It has been so heartening to see the community step up and take care of each other. And I would love to ensure local government is doing its part to protect our community, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn’t you move out of town? How are you able to run for mayor in Rochester?
I meet all the qualification to run for city office identified on the Secretary of State’s website.
- Be eligible to vote in Minnesota – I am registered to vote and do it with intense regularity
- Be at least 21 years old upon assuming office – I’ll be 40 before I even file paperwork
- Have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election – I have lived in my current residence in southeast Rochester since 2020. Yes, I have a lengthy commute
- Have not filed for another office in an upcoming primary or general election – The only office I am currently seeking is mayor of Rochester
Will you keep your current job if elected mayor?
No. I will resign my full-time job with the state. I will maintain my role on the Governor’s council.
While there would also be no conflict of interest in maintaining my current job with the state and being the mayor, I do not believe the role of mayor should be treated like a side gig or part-time job. To me, it is a full-time position and I will treat it as such.
Do you have any personal or professional ties to Mayo?
I receive all my medical care through Mayo Clinic and am grateful to my medical team. I was a co-presenter for a single presentation with a psychiatrist given at Mayo Clinic during my internship year. I was on the school board when they gifted us $10M to mitigate budget deficit impacts.
I was not compensated for the presentation and I did not have any direct dealings with Mayo Clinic when the financial gift was given. I do not have any personal or professional dealings with Mayo Clinic beyond what I have described.
How do you feel about the “weak mayor, strong city council system?”
I understand, semantically and politically speaking, the function of a “weak mayor, strong city council” system. I am seeking this role knowing that will be the case.
Although the suggestion that the mayor of Rochester would be “weak” is something I would like to address. Let me be quite clear: I am anything but weak. When work is challenging and there are people in need, I dig right in and get things done. That is the kind of mayor I’ll be for YOU!