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My story begins in a home alive with rescued wildlife, where respect for flora and fauna was a way of life. I grew up among wild birds, lizards, orphaned baby squirrels, and many other species.  My childhood was a swirl of outdoors adventures, catching frogs, snakes, furry things, even jellyfish while running around farms, camp sites, and coastlines.  Lessons of respect and stewardship came early, sometimes because the wildlife in need of rehabilitation were, unfortunately, a result of my eager explorations.

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My roots are grounded in two worlds: a father whose international upbringing nurtured compassion across cultures and species, and a mother whose deep connection to ancestral land instilled an intuitive sense of place. My father's family imparted lessons from their life in Cambodia and Japan where my grandfather was stationed. They taught the importance of immersion in local cultures while caring for orphaned wildlife (including a tiger, a gibbon, and civet cats to name a few). My mother’s family, having lived on the same land for over seven generations, modeled the value of reading the landscape—not only through its species and seasons, but its rhythms, moods, and quiet signals. This environmental literacy, passed down through tradition and relationship, forms the foundation of how I move through the world. 

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That belief has guided me throughout a career at the intersection of conservation, climate policy, social and environmental due diligence. I’m passionate about leaving the world better for future generations—whether through systems that embed social and environmental safeguards or strategies that uplift communities long overlooked in conservation. I’ve led teams across government and nonprofit sectors, and what drives me is knowing that I’m helping make a dent in something that matters.

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