I’ll never forget the first day my son and I rolled up to Giraffe Laugh on Grand in my barely‑running 1980s minivan. I had just left a difficult marriage, the recession was dragging on, and I was doing everything I could to keep a roof over our heads. Enrolling my son—now 19!—felt less like a decision and more like divine intervention. He was welcomed, loved, and lifted up by Ms. Beverly and the entire team, and in that safety I was able to rebuild my life, finish my MBA, and step back into my career.
My background has always been rooted in public relations and communications, with a special place in my heart for nonprofit work. Over the years, my connection to GL grew from parent, to volunteer, to committee member, to board member, and eventually to society member. Each role deepened my belief that GL represents the very best of what our community stands for.
To now serve as Philanthropy Director feels like a full‑circle moment—one of my life dreams realized. It’s a joy to pour my skills, my gratitude, and my heart into the organization that so many times held my family up. As GL celebrates 35 years and continues to evolve, I’m excited to honor our legacy, prioritize our mission, while helping move us boldly into the future.