From early on in my life, I knew I would end up in a creative field. However, despite my love for art, I still had a technical mind. I took several art classes in high school and ventured into technical drawing during my senior year. I enrolled in the drafting class, where I was the only female in the class, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this new venture. This led to enrolling in a Bachelor of Interior Design program for college. The university I attended did not offer CAD at the time, so I took a summer CAD class at the local community college, where I was the youngest and only female student enrolled. After graduation, I worked at a historical preservation company. One project was working at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building to bring the historical character of the building back to life. I gained a deep appreciation for the period craftsmanship and the specialized artisanal skills of the original builders, many of which are a lost art today. From there, I enrolled in a master's program to further my design education. That led me to work in the commercial design industry.
I have been quite fortunate to have worked in organizations that have been opportunistic, which has paired nicely with my personal drive for success and passion for design. Most challenges I have faced are not specific to being female but more a result of growing within a career and maturing as a professional. I see each moment as a stepping stone to charting my authentic career path.