I was raised in a working-class family; immersed in multi-generational trauma. I was exposed to the realities of social inequalities from a young age. For as long as I can remember, I have been committed to bettering the social situations of those around me.
I am a first-generation college graduate with a Master’s Degree in Sociology. I have professional experience in everything from elder justice and rural elder abuse prevention to gender justice and understanding how gender dynamics influence political participation for people with intellectual disabilities. I have worked as a grant writer for the largest federally recognized Tribe in the state of California, and as an analyst and program coordinator for county governments.
I love data, research, and helping to answer complex (and sometimes overlooked) questions with qualitative and quantitative data, and I am so excited to be working with and for the diverse communities of King County.
Employment
- Senior Research Consultant, ML Whalen Consulting 2018 – Present
- Program Coordinator, County of Humboldt 2017-2018
- Elder and Vulnerable Adult Services Team
- Staff Services Analyst, County of Humboldt 2016-2017
- Older Adult Services and Elder Abuse Prevention
- Grant Writer, Yurok Tribe 2015-2016
- Graduate Research Assistant, Humboldt State University 2014-2015
- Center for Applied Sociological Analysis and Education
- Office of Graduate Studies
- California Center for Rural Policy
- Executive Assistant, Pacific Sociological Association 2013-2014
Education
- M.A. in Sociology, with distinction, Humboldt State University 2015
- Thesis: Black Trans Bodies are Under Attack”: Gender Non-Conforming Homicide Victims in the U.S. 1995-2014
- B.A. in Sociology, Washington State University 2012
- Minor: Women’s Studies
- B.A. in English, Washington State University 2012
- Minor: Creative Writing
Awards
- McConkey Outstanding Graduate Student, Humboldt State University 2015
- Inaugural Greater Seattle Business Association Graduate Scholarship 2013
- Women of Distinction Award, Washington State University Vancouver 2013
- Pride Foundation Community Scholarship 2012
- Humanitarian Award, Washington State University Vancouver 2012
- Greater Seattle Business Association Graduate Scholarship 2011 and 2012
- Jeanette Jewett Scholarship, Washington State University Sociology 2011
Community Engagement
- Secretary and Grants Manager, Board of Directors, Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction 2017-18
- Commissioner, Humboldt County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission 2014-17
- Member, Humboldt County Youth Disparities Reduction Collaborative 2015
- Intern, National Center for Youth Law 2014
- Intern, First 5 Humboldt 2014
- Co-Chair, Sociology and Criminology and Justice Studies Community Advisory Board, Humboldt State University 2014-15
- Co-Founder and Co-Organizer of Gender Neutral Bathroom Week, Washington State University Vancouver 2012-14
- Intern, YWCA Independent Living Skills Program, Clark County 2011-2012