Creativity and meditation have been consistent themes throughout my life. Passionate about art and design, I spent years as a Fashion Designer and Design Director at Nordstrom creating private label womenswear. Managing that stress was critical to getting through the days. I had to use all the tools at my disposal – mindfulness and meditation kept me going. Introduced to meditation as a teenager, it has played a role in my personal development and now my professional life. In 2018, I began hosting weekly lunch hour meditations for my stressed out team at Nordstrom.

After discovering how helpful mindfulness at work could be, I wanted to deepen my understanding. I am certified by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association through a 2-year program led by Western mindfulness pioneers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Currently offering in-person and online mindfulness meditation classes for adults and after school classes for children. This is meditation for modern people, adapted from Buddhism in a way that makes sense for Westerners. In my classes I focus on sharing simple ways to be mindful and reduce stress during our days, not only when we are meditating.

Mindfulness is in some ways intangible, yet modern science is able to quantify much of the benefits. Improved sleep, reduced anxiety, ability to better moderate emotions and live in the moment. I have experienced so many positive changes in myself and truly believe everyone can use these skills to better their life. One of the most rewarding things about teaching meditation is seeing all those relaxed faces at the end of a session. It truly brings me joy.

An avid reader since early childhood, books have always been good friends to me. Lifelong experience in art, writing and mindfulness have merged in a passion for crafting picture books with social/emotional/mindfulness themes. I both write and illustrate my own stories and am on a path to getting them published.

My picture book writing development includes active membership in SCBWI, the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, graduate of the Children’s Book Academy and multiple critique groups. I graduated with a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

My most important titles are wife, adoptive mom and pet parent. I can honestly say that every day I get to do what I love. I’m left handed, an avid music fan, native Chicagoan, and convinced that green peppers ruin anything they touch. When I’m relaxing you can find me with my nose in a book, practicing yoga or in my garden in Seattle, WA.