Growing up, I was always looking ahead, barely taking time to fully be in the moment. From eagerly anticipating junior high to yearning for the next stage in life—high school, college, and beyond—I was always focused on what lay ahead. It’s a trait my mentors, my mother and grandmother noticed, often telling me to slow down, to savor the here and now. “Live in the moment.” They often urged me to appreciate the present instead of constantly yearning for the future.

During my undergraduate years at Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) and law school at Cleveland State University, I was determined to become a lawyer. However, once I started studying law, I realized spending hours in the law library wasn’t for me. Despite this change of plans, my passion for helping others remained strong.

Initially, I saw law as a way to advocate for the marginalized, but my experience in law school showed me that there are different paths to making a difference. I eventually shifted my focus to study psychology and sociology alongside pre-law, which led me to pursue a Master’s Degree in sociology and eventually a PhD in Christian counseling.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand two things: first, I have a talent for bringing people together, and second, many women lack the balance and harmony in their lives necessary to flourish and support others.

Because of my knack for uniting people, I’ve been described as a “connector” (ConnectHER). I want everyone to feel included and valued, which fosters a sense of belonging and community.