Let us know a little about yourself, your current employment, and how you ‘found’ GIS. 

My GIS origin story starts further back than most. As a geology undergraduate at Whittier College, I spent time mapping earthquakes for the Southern California Earthquake Center, watching patterns emerge as points populated across a green and black computer screen. I was hooked immediately, even if I didn't fully know what to do with that yet.

Life took over in the form of a Navy spouse career, which I wouldn't trade, but which also meant more than a decade away from professional work. When my husband was nearing retirement and we could see the light at the end of the relocation tunnel, I enrolled in Penn State's Post-Baccalaureate GIS Certificate Program to test the waters. I needed a skills refresh, wanted something portable in case we moved again, and honestly, I had just missed it. The certificate turned into the MGIS, and I never looked back.

Today I serve as the GIS Administrator for the City of Evans, Colorado, a small municipality in Northern Colorado. I came in as the sole GIS person and have since built out an internship program, and now work alongside a team of interns and a part-time Public Works analyst. I couldn't do this job without them.

Outside of work, I serve on the board of Northern Colorado GIS Professionals, a local user group that hosts monthly meetups, speed networking, lightning talks, and peer support for GIS professionals and those who just love GIS in the region.

And because apparently I enjoy a challenge, I am also currently pursuing a STEM MBA, built on the foundation Penn State gave me. Free time is overrated anyway.