This is our 16th year living in Cook County. My spouse and I both grew up in Minneapolis (a place I still love) but knew we wanted to be somewhere more rural / wooded. When I was in college in Vermont we visited a homesteading family for a class and I fell in love with what I saw, as only a young person can do. My degree was focused on sustainable agriculture policy but all I really wanted to do was have a big garden. My spouse had a similar notion but more woodsy than farm-y. He had loved the North Shore since visiting as a child and we visited with our children when we could. One day things just sort of fell into place to move here, so we did!

As for program changes, we have an amazing Program Director and Aquatics Coordinator who are scheming right alongside me. I'd say I have programs I'd like to start more than change! For example, a perimenopause / menopause discussion group. It's such a critical wellness topic and it is finally seeing its day in the sun.  I'd also love to increase our partnerships with local organizations to come in and share their expertise on Y-adjacent topics. We are hoping to add some Kids Club times back to the schedule. Kids Club is onsite childcare for parents while they work out.

Thank you. Not much! (My days are pretty full. ) That said, I have had the pleasure of singing for the Winter Solstice Pageant put on by the Good Harbor Hill Players at North House for many years.

Hmm... most of that advice I give to my own children. Stay focused on what matters to you, even if it's not what others want from you. Most things don't get easier so if you want to travel, move somewhere, change something, learn something, etc, do it NOW! Don't be too serious, too young. Be honest, act with integrity, give when you can, take ownership of your life, learn to apologize, recognize your privilege and use it, don't abuse it. Be thankful; things can change on a dime. Find humor, find light, find humility, stay curious. Leverage anger and fear for better things, do hard things, forgive, grow food, use less, keep walking and biking and moving. Don't be too rigid. 

You bet! My most recent job before the Y was as a Program Director for the Concordia Language Villages. The Language Villages' mission is "to inspire courageous global citizens." That was a full-time job where I served as part of the leadership team and oversaw programming in 7 of the 14 languages that the Villages offer. I first worked for the Villages when I was 17 years old as a dishwasher, kitchen helper, language teacher, and camp counselor. I had just returned from a year as an exchange student in Denmark. I never really stopped working for them!

Where is your favorite go-to spot in the County where you enjoy relaxing on a day off? 
Honesty, home. If puttering were a profession, that would be my ideal job. I love milling about my house and yard. We have a relatively new prairie planting out front, and it's fascinating watching it evolve and seeing the critters who visit it. I went to a cool talk at North House last week on the topic of "craft psychology" and had a few lightbulb moments about why I find that so satisfying. I'm also looking forward to swimming at Seagull this summer. It's been a long time!




Boreal Community Media has been featuring the"Meet your Cook County Neighbor" series for several years now.  If you enjoy reading these and would like to nominate someone to be featured, please send us an email to [email protected]