I have a passion for preventing violence against women, and ensuring the best support possible for women who have been victimized.

I have been teaching self-defense for 20 years and have a background in victimology. I worked for 14 years in Crisis Intervention Services, providing community education and counseling to individuals, groups, and training volunteers. In 2017, I founded the North Iowa Women's Self-Defense Initiative after having identified a real need for educating the public about the issue that is violence against women. I felt a responsibility to empower and teach women and young girls about how to defend themselves and to prevent themselves from becoming a victim. 

I received my BA in Psychology from Buena Vista University. In addition to my formal education experience and continuous training and education has also prepared me throughout my career.

My biggest challenge is growth and marketing. Violence against women is a real issue that knows no bounds, and it is my mission to spread the word to increase prevention efforts and to effect real change.

My greatest strengths are my willingness and desire to learn and grow both personally and professionally, and my abilities to teach, train, and connect with others, especially women and victims of violence.

My greatest accomplishment is what I have done. I live in a small rural area, and I was able to build up the brand and spread my message. I am proud to know that I am the first one to be contacted at the time of crisis and the empowerment of women.

My professional goal is to focus on building chapters and developing coherence group classes and new classes geared at educating new methods and material.

I am inspired by the hardcore passion I have for empowering women and helping victims. 

I want to be remembered for being an empowered woman myself and my passion to empower others and keep women safe.

I am a member of the Iowa Emergency Response Team, the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the American Women's Self Defense Association.

I enjoy reading, rock climbing and yoga.