My first career was in education.

For eight years, I taught students in middle and high school how to read closely, think analytically, and write persuasively. I loved being in front of the classroom and helping students find success where there had only been frustration in the past. But after those eight years, I knew I needed a change.

Quite by chance, I found myself working in fundraising.

I began by volunteering in the IT department of my local humane society. Then, a job opened up in data entry in the development department. Within a few months, the database manager left, leaving me as the only person who knew anything about how our system was set up. I took the opportunity to dive deep into the system, learn everything I could, and within a year I was well on my way to becoming an expert in my field.

Since then, I’ve spoken at national conferences, mentored other aspiring database managers, and lead a local Raiser’s Edge user group in my metro area.

Now, I want a chance to help other organizations achieve more with their data, by giving them the analytical insights they need to succeed, and by training their staff to be as effective, responsive, and accurate as they can possibly be. My background as a teacher and professional database manager make me uniquely qualified to serve both of those needs.