Why did you choose to join the MSMVCD Board of Trustees? / Why is the mission of mosquito and vector control important to you? 

 I am committed to addressing public health issues and to improving the environment. It’s self-evident that climate change and global warming are increasing the risk of vector-borne diseases. Serving on the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District stands out as a way for me as an elected official to make a meaningful impact on public health issues for my community.

 What is your relevant expertise? 

As an attorney, I bring an understanding of legal and legislative issues and processes. As a former nonprofit director, I offer the experience of having operated and managed a community-based entity (and having handled its challenging budgetary issues). As a long-time actively involved community member of a semi-rural town I bring to the Board the knowledge and understanding of the challenges inherent in meeting public health needs in farming communities.

Educational/Professional background: 

I received my BA from the University of California Santa Cruz (with honors), majoring in Economics. I then went on to earn a law degree from the University of California at Davis. My first job out of law school was with the San Joaquin Public Defender’s Office. I later specialized in labor and employment law, representing hospitals and other healthcare-related entities. My community work in Sebastopol is lengthy and spanned twenty-plus years supporting youth, seniors, business, the environment, and emergency preparedness interests. For a number of years (2010-2017) I was the executive director of the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center. My interests in public health led me in 2012 to become involved as a founder of the Sebastopol Area Community Alliance (SACA), which later became the local chapter affiliated with Sonoma County Health Action.

List of service clubs you belong to (if any): 

• A long-time member of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol
• Serves on the Board of the Sebastopol Rotary Education Foundation.

List of other city/town/county boards or committees you serve on: 

• Elected to Sebastopol City Council in 2020, making a commitment to addressing Covid-19 issues, economic recovery, and social and environmental justice.
• City of Sebastopol's Emergency Services (Fire) Subcommittee, Locals who Make a Difference Subcommittee, and the newly created Climate Action Subcommittee.
• Sebastopol’s representative on the Sonoma County Waste Management/Zero Waste Board.
• I hold assignments as an alternate on the Legislative Committee, the Library Advisory Board and LANTERN, the Laguna Stakeholders Committee, Sebastopol’s Gravenstein Health Action Coalition, and as the City representative on the Sonoma County Health Action Coalition.

Other information you wish to share about yourself:

I am dedicated to doing all I can to improve the health and safety of our community and see my role on the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control Board as an opportunity to meet that goal.