I am an almost life long resident of Carroll County/Westminster. I graduated from WHS in 1996. I love the beach, animals, especially dogs, and being around the people I love. I have a great, albeit dark, sense of humor. I love learning new things and will try just about anything once. I enjoy going to concerts, amusement parks and Ravens games.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family. Include your pets too!
I have 2 kids- Aiden, 21 and Ava, 19. Aiden is doing the adulting thing and living on his own. Ava lives at home and is a student in the nursing program at Carroll Community College. I have a corgi named Eleanor Michelle. I have always wanted a corgi and boy did I get one with her. She is a character and I wouldn’t have it any other way. She annoys most people but I think she is perfection! I also have a golden retriever named Lavender Elizabeth. I helped birth her and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Side note-I am an ordained minister and the only ceremony I have ever performed was for Lavender’s parents-Remus and Luna. She is an instigator and always getting in trouble! She is also a complete joy and makes me laugh every single day.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am the Program Director at the Community Foundation of Carroll County. I am beyond proud of the foundation and the work we do. I also work part time as a vet tech at Feathers, Scales and Tails. Being a technician feels very natural to me because of my love of animals and my 17 year nursing career I had prior to coming to the foundation.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song and why does it resonate with you?
Ruin is a Gift. I have it tattooed on my shoulder as a reminder that we can grow from the things that life throws at us.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Learn to love yourself as soon as possible and that gratitude and happiness go hand in hand. You’ll never have one without the other.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite places or events in our community?
Man, where do I begin? CCYSB’s Chocolate Ball, Starry Night Gala, Carroll County Women’s Conference, anything that Find Your Purpose is doing, but most of all the Philanthropist of the Year awards held in September.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Westminster or looking to move to Westminster?
Don’t base their opinons on any of the Westminster Community Online Facebook pages.
Q: What 3 words come to mind when you think of Westminster?
Home, Community, Sentimental
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
Hanging out with the people I love, reading, going out to eat and playing with my dogs. I want to learn Pickleball this year.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Dogs.
Q: What is one of your proudest accomplishments?
Losing 192 pounds. Being able to take care of myself financially, emotionally, etc.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
Trip to Italy! I have a map of Italy on my living room wall to help manifest it!
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
A farm where I could have ALL the animals. And a beach house.
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
My friends never seem to remember that I have 6 siblings because I was raised as an only child.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (life, school, work, family, health, etc)
In 2020 I had gastic bypass surgery. Being morbidly obese was a huge challenge for me in every way. Physically, emotionally, mentally. The surgery gave me life. Having the sugery posed it’s own challenges. It was postponed due to covid and then I had several complications that lasted for months. That ultimately ended up with me having a 9 day stay in the hospital but I wouldn’t change a thing. I had to go through all of what I did to make sure I don’t take my good health for granted.
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
I’m so lucky to have so many people in my life that I look up to. My mom Michelle, my best friends Jacie and Jess, my boyfriend Andrew, Caroline Babylon, Billy Lyve, Judith Martin-Johnson. Honestly I could go on. I am surrounded by AMAZING people.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where in Westminster would you meet for this lunch?
I had so much trouble answering this one. Taylor Swift. My daughter is a Swifty which makes me one by proxy. Collision Course, of course!
Q: How can our readers and I know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection for you or a good person for you to meet? Please include your website link if you have one!
I’m intrested in meeting all the people! However, if someone you know is looking to start a nonprofit or scholarship send them my way. www.wearecarroll.org
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Westminster MD project?
Tim Weber, Andrew Becker, Judith Martin-Johnson, Kayla Solinsky
