Grew up in rural West Virginia on a large farm that we called Heronrest.  My father designed it to be 100% self sufficient (off the grid) except for the telephone line which was buried underground.  My parents raised my brother and I in the Friends (Quaker) community and I still keep those values close to heart.

My educational experience started in WV and then moved to Olney Friends School in Barnesville, Ohio and then on to Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.  While at Earlham I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in and around Kenya, East Africa.  This experience shaped my philosophy, no doubt.  I now live with my husband and two cats in Portland, Oregon where we are car-free (though quite connected to the grid).  Professionally, I am the Sustainability Coordinator for The Standard, a leader in the insurance and financial services sector.  I am on the board of the Norwest Earth Institute and chair The Standard's all-volunteer Green Team.  In my free time I enjoy the outdoors, fiber arts, photography, exploring my spiritual and family roots.  When time permits, I dabble in scenic and artistic design for theatre and film.