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What do you hope this new school year will bring for you personally and professionally?
Working in schools is an endeavor that centers around people and relationships. So in my first year at Nueva, I hope to develop genuine connections with the people who make this community so special. I want students, parents, faculty, staff, and families to know that I care deeply about their experience and am committed to helping them find joy, excitement, and a sense of belonging during their time here.

Professionally, I hope to continue growing as an admissions professional as I learn the subtle nuances inherent in the Bay Area admissions world. This means getting to know the finer points about the Nueva community, especially with regard to issues of accessibility and equity.

What is something that people might be surprised to know about you?
I have an adventurous spirit—especially when it comes to the outdoors. I sometimes joke that I would have been a professional snowboarder if only I had learned sooner. As soon as I moved to California from North Carolina, I started backpacking, surfing, mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, and everything in between. With the confidence I’ve gained on local trails and in the cold Pacific Ocean, I’ve been able to go on some epic trips with my husband, who is also a huge outdoor enthusiast. Some recent highlights include hiking Mount Merbabu in Indonesia to watch the sunrise and backcountry skiing at Rogers Pass in British Columbia. I’m not sure there is anything better than the sense of accomplishment after a long hike or ski up a breath- taking mountain.

The lower school often marks the 100th day of school with a celebration. How do you envision your first 100 days?
Hoping to embody Nueva’s motto of learning by doing, learning by caring, my first 100 days will be filled with taking on new challenges, immersing myself in all that Nueva has to offer, and building deep and meaningful relationships with Nueva community members. I’m eager to sit in on classes and watch our amazing faculty engage students while helping them grow into curious, kind, and confident scholars ready to be positive changemakers in this world. Meeting students and learning about their passions and interests, along with hearing about why they love this community, will provide me with a greater sense of the student experience and give me the tools to be an authentic storyteller for the school. Building on the strong partnership between the admissions and JEDI teams, I am excited to continue the great work already being done to make the school feel accessible and the admission process equitable to all families. And of course, I am ready to connect with prospective families as they get to know this amazing community. Needless to say, my first 100 days will be busy!

Every year, second graders study what brings people to the Bay Area. What draws you to the Bay Area?
As many people know, the Bay Area is one of the most demographically diverse regions in all of the United States. With this diversity comes an amazing array of cultures, traditions, ideas, and values that I am excited to learn more about. So, I expect to venture out frequently on the weekends to explore neighborhoods, visit museums, enjoy local festivals, and hike new trails with my dog, Moose. I’m especially eager to continue my never-ending search for the best vegan restaurant in the world!