I am a fighter at heart, driven by a deep care for people, our environment, and a steadfast commitment to protecting our rights.  My purpose is simple: to make life better for our residents.

​

Growing up in a working-class household with young parents, I learned early what it means to struggle and to persevere. When my father secured a union job as a Teamster, everything changed. That job meant stability, healthcare, and the promise of a pension that allowed him to retire with dignity. It also gave me the opportunity to become the first in my family to attend college. That experience taught me the transformative power of strong unions and fair labor protections, a fight I’ve carried with me ever since.

​

Caring for others has always been second nature. As a child, I stood up to bullies and stepped in when others turned away. Growing up a part of Chicago’s Native American community, I was raised around family on the frontlines of activism fighting for Indigenous rights before I was old enough to fully understand their scope. That foundation shaped me into someone who cannot stay silent in the face of injustice. Whether it’s environmental protection, human rights, or women’s rights, I’ve always been compelled to act.

​

Challenges fuel me. Every time someone says I can’t do something, it only strengthens my resolve. Today, that resolve is focused on protecting environmental laws and voting rights from relentless attacks out of the White House, safeguarding unions here in Illinois, and ensuring our labor protections remain strong. Ensuring kids can safely go to school without the fear of gun violence.  

​

For the past five years, I’ve served as a DuPage Forest Preserve Commissioner.  I am the first Democrat to hold this seat, the first Democratic Woman to chair multiple meetings as President Pro Temp and have served as our Treasurer since 2020.

 

I served as Chief of Staff for the District 46 for over four years, where a main part of my work was handling constituent services. I have been a small business owner since I was 16 years old, running a record label, as well as operating a photography and florist business based in Lombard. I continue to do work as consultant in financial sector for multinational organizations, political consulting as well as photography.

 

Since returning from Ireland, I’ve thrown myself into building Democratic strength in DuPage. I’ve served as an election judge, precinct committeeperson, past Chair of the York Township Democratic Organization, Past President of Democratic Women of DuPage County - all while running and winning two of my own races.  I’ve continued to serve as an Executive Committee Member at the Township, County and Democratic Women of DuPage. Local candidates know they can count on me for strategy, support, and resources, and I take pride in helping them not just win, but succeed once in office.

 

This is not just politics for me, it’s personal. It’s about honoring where I came from, protecting what we’ve built, and fighting for the future we all deserve.

 

I grew up in Lombard and went to school at Willowbrook High School. The rest of my educational career took me through College of DuPage, Columbia College Chicago, and then to Ireland at National University Ireland, Galway and Trinity College Dublin. I met my husband, Martin, while attending Trinity College and we married in Ireland. When we were living in Dublin, Ireland I was worked at KPMG and Martin, my husband, was working with the largest media group in Europe.  When we emigrated back to the US, we settled just a block away from my family in Lombard, where we continue to live.              

​

I am part of CERT (Diamond Class) training through Milton Township, and enjoy volunteering for events, training courses and assisting when local fire and police need volunteers to aid in their training sessions.  ​

 

I want to ensure that the voices of the District 42 are heard and welcome the views and opinions of the people. Together we can overcome the obstacles in our path and work together for our bright future.