Who I AM

🧭 Mission Statement

To empower aging veterans and individuals with disabilities by honoring their lived experience, advocating for dignity and autonomy, and delivering creative, person-centered solutions that foster independence, resilience, and meaningful engagement.

👤 Who I Am

I am the older of two children, both of us functionally blind. Growing up in Katy, Texas, my brother and I learned to navigate a world built for sighted people—an experience that shaped my ability to see beyond physical limitations to the spirit, character, and potential within each individual.

I graduated with honors as a member of the National Honor Society, volunteered with Best Buddies, and worked alongside my vision itinerant teacher to complete service hours that deepened my commitment to inclusive education and community support. These early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to empowering others—especially those whose challenges are often misunderstood or overlooked.

My academic journey reflects both intellectual rigor and personal resolve. I earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from UT Austin, followed by a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas State University, where I also obtained multiple teaching certifications, including Special Education. Later, I completed my MSW in Clinical Social Work at the University of Houston, graduating with honors from both graduate programs.

But degrees alone don’t define me. I am a results-oriented practitioner with training in diverse theories of Change Management. I am also a nurturing and generous person who believes in showing up with both heart and strategy. As an Enrichment Specialist for the YMCA in Austin, I invested my own resources to create STEM activities and behavioral incentives for children—earning praise for my creativity and commitment.

At the University of Houston’s Center for Students with Disabilities, I used that same creativity to break down barriers to access. When faced with outdated transparencies that couldn’t be read by screen readers, I proposed photocopying them first—making them scannable by OCR technology and accessible to blind students. I also identified nonprofit organizations that could provide computers to students who couldn’t afford them, ensuring that financial limitations didn’t become academic roadblocks.

In my focus groups on learning apps, I worked collaboratively with students to categorize tools based on real-life needs. We explored apps that supported instrumental activities of daily living—like online shopping, personal finance management, and calendar planning—as well as those that addressed core ADL tasks, such as identifying clothing colors for dressing or applying makeup independently. These solutions weren’t just practical; they were empowering. They gave students the tools to navigate college and life with confidence, autonomy, and dignity.

My life has taught me to see beyond limitations and into the heart of what makes each person unique. I believe in working hard, advocating fiercely, and walking alongside others as they navigate their own paths—especially aging veterans and their families. My personal experience with disability, combined with my professional training, allows me to connect deeply with those facing functional limitations, not as deficits, but as dimensions of identity that deserve respect, support, and meaningful engagement.

I am not just a candidate—I am a collaborator, a problem-solver, and a relentless advocate for equity. I bring lived experience, clinical insight, and a heart for service to every role I take on. For me, social work is not just a profession—it’s a calling rooted in resilience, compassion, and the belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.