Originally from the Midwest and having spent time in Massachusetts, Arizona, and California, I have lived in central Virginia since the early 1980s. Since moving to Virginia, I have devoted my time to raising a family, volunteering in the community, and providing leadership in my church, in addition to owning and operating a local real estate investment firm and working part-time in the retail industry.

Following the death of my husband in 2015, my passion for caring and supporting others culminated in Reach Out with Acts of Kindness: A Guide to Helping Others in Crisis, a call to action for creating a culture of compassion and empathy by illuminating how to be there for others when they need it the most.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, knitting, bridge, Zumba, entertaining, shopping, traveling, spending time with friends, my two children,  three grandchildren, and helping others.