My Story

I spent my childhood in New York City and Westchester County, where I learned first-hand about the stark racial and economic inequities embedded in American society and where I watched every patch of green space disappear under another building. With my parents as Ministers of Music in a multi-racial church community, I was steeped in a tradition of service to others and the importance of working for justice.

A two-year health struggle as a teen transformed my understanding of and commitment to service. My mom’s persistence in seeking my diagnosis and the health insurance provided by her union job granted me access to outstanding medical care that included life-saving brain surgery.  After my recovery, I recognized how lucky I was to survive and how much support I had received from our community.  I wanted everyone to have such support.

After graduating from Colgate University and earning a master’s degree at Michigan State University, I taught science full-time while completing a second master’s degree at New York University.  When our first child turned one, I decided to “scale back” to part-time paid employment.

Our family moved to Brighton in 2006. Our five kids have thrived in the community and in the public schools.  My husband Craig teaches at Brighton High School and I am a mom, an environmental activist, adjunct professor of Environmental Health and Environmental Studies at two local colleges, and a small business owner.

In 2014, I co-founded the Climate Solution Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region (formerly the Rochester People’s Climate Coalition), the leading local climate organization. In 2018, I co-founded a small business now facilitating the implementation of community-wide renewable energy programs in 10 local municipalities. In 2020, I played an instrumental role in the efforts to create a Monroe County Climate Action Plan, and I currently serve as vice-chair on the Monroe County Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee. After over a decade of advocating for change as a private citizen, I understand that we need more elected officials prioritizing economic, racial, and environmental justice in government. I am ready to do just that as a County Legislator.

Experience

Monroe County Legislator (2021 – present)
– Environment & Public Works and Public Safety Committees
– Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District Board

SUNY Brockport, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health (2007-present)

Rochester Institute of Technology, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Studies (2012 – present)

Roctricity, small business partner and co-founder (2018 – present)

Monroe County Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee; Vice-Chair (2020 – present)

Citizens’ Climate Lobby: Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador (2020 – 2022)

Rochester People’s Climate Coalition, co-founder (2014 – 2018)

Mothers Out Front, Rochester Community Organizing team (2014 – 2017)

Science Teacher, Mamaroneck High School, (1996-2002)