“Sometimes the best way to forget about our own challenges is to help someone else with theirs.”
I am proud to have been born and raised in the Columbia area of South Carolina. Voted Outstanding Student of the Year, I graduated with honors from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. After graduation, I worked briefly in the insurance industry until I discovered my calling working with children and adults who have special needs and their families. There is no greater reward than helping someone achieve their greatest potential by breaking down barriers. Starting as a Service Coordinator in 1993 at a local board, I moved on to the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) working as a program coordinator for Home and Community Based Waiver Services, Service Coordination and Early Intervention. While I enjoyed the training and technical support I presented to providers statewide and the experience gained from working with residential and day programs, I missed the day to day contact with the people we serve. After 6 years at DDSN, I joined the growing Bright Start family implementing the first Service Coordination program here. Finally back on the front lines, I have happily served children and their families for the past 10 years at Bright Start. My greatest joy is hearing the stories of success our children have made over the years as they blossom into young adults. Our children and families are our number one priority which makes working for Bright Start a pleasure.
In my spare time, I enjoy growing things, reading and playing in the water. I reside in the woods of Blythewood with my husband, teenage son and 4 dogs; Sybil, Buster, Dale and Daisy Mae.
