I grew up with a passion for design and creative thinking. That passion led me to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Central Michigan University (CMU) in Fine Art. I focused on creating immersive art experiences that told stories of invisible illnesses and the body.

While fine art has always been an interest of mine, I stumbled upon a new interest while at CMU in UX. As a student, I worked in the IT department as a UX Designer and quickly realized the split between research and design had me hooked. When I learned about web accessibility and how it ties into UX I realized my passion for design, creative thinking, and helping others was possible in one career. I spent a year working as a UX designer for the university before graduating in 2018.

In between class and work, I spent time volunteering for the CMU Leadership Institute, Special Olympics Michigan, and a local art organization in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan called Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Those experiences helped me develop a sense of leadership and passion for helping others access and experience life fully.

Fast forward from 2018 to the present day and I am currently evangelizing accessibility at Auto-Owners Insurance as a web accessibility specialist within the UX team. I perform internal assessments on websites and systems for WCAG and Section 508 compliance. My duties also include creating and helping to coordinate accessibility training customized to best suit the roles and current skill levels of project team members. I’ve also started working on an accessibility awareness program to build awareness and empathy throughout the company.

In October 2022 I will be a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies.

My free time is consumed by spending time with my loved ones, kayaking, binge-watching tv series, staying up to date on new assistive technologies, and taking care of my large plant collection.