Please tell us a bit about yourself.  

I have lived in Kill Devil Hills – just a few blocks from Wright Brothers National Memorial – for almost 25 years with my husband Matt, two daughters, and our dog named Wave. I love camping, hiking, going to the beach, skiing, paddling, anything recreational. I am a preschool teacher by trade and have operated a preschool for over 20 years. I also serve as Kill Devil Hill’s Mayor Pro-Tem and have served in that role since 2019 having been re-elected in 2023. 

What motivated you to join Outer Banks Forever’s Board?   

I took a national park road trip with my family back in 2019. We visited 10 national parks, monuments, and memorials in four weeks. It was there that I realized the importance of friends groups to the success of these special areas. When I returned it was on my radar, and a few years later I met former Outer Banks Forever Director Jessica Barnes and asked her how I could get involved. 

Why is philanthropy important to you?   

My parents instilled in me how critical helping others and the environment was. From being a 17-year-old working hurricane recovery after Hurricane Andrew in South Florida to co-chairing the Outer Banks chapter of Surfrider Foundation for more than 10 years, to and serving on many local boards since. 

What do you want people to understand about Outer Banks Forever and our Outer Banks national parks? 

 I would like people to know the importance of what Outer Banks Forever does for our national parks and the importance of supporting our efforts. Our parks have recently faced many challenges that we will continue to face and I’m proud we can support them and am excited to see that support grow.  

What is your favorite memory of your time serving on the Outer Banks Forever Board? 

 My favorite memory is touring the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and seeing what was then the future site of the Pathways to Your National Parks project. That project has since come to fruition, and it’s projects like that make being part of this organization so special. 

What is your favorite way to enjoy or experience our Outer Banks national parks?  

My absolute favorite way to enjoy our parks is walking around Wright Brothers National Memorial. It is almost always in sight on my daily walking route and that constant reminder of ingenuity, resilience, and perseverance has inspired me on many, many days.  

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

 I would like to thank Jessica Barnes for getting me involved with the board, the board members for welcoming me, the Outer Banks Forever staff for their commitment to growing our organization, and the National Park Service staff for their endless time and dedication to our beloved national parks.