November 23, 2020

What’s the most interesting or fulfilling part of your job?

The people: staff, colleagues, the public.  I enjoy working with systems outside of our own to build better engagement with our community and making collaboration work. We talk about it a lot, but it’s really a difficult process if the needs are disparate and the resources slim. It’s the “we will make this work, no matter how hard,” attitude that I love. There are quite a number of people in our county that do not trust or like ‘government.’ Those are my favorite conversations. Listening to the ‘why’ and taking that back to our drawing board….that’s why we are here.

Is your glass half-full, or half-empty?

Well, it can depend on the glass. Overall, I believe in the resilience of people and our ability to create systems that promote and enhance the best of what we have to offer. Certainly, lately, with a pandemic, fires/smoke, and the tensions that come with social inequities, not to mention the building concerns related to climate change, it can be difficult to keep the hope. That said, persistence and building connections with others is at the heart of that glass getting filled back up when needed.

What motivated you to enter public service?

Meeting people who worked with people who were invisible or in the social shadows. Starting with the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, and moving to Harm Reduction for people who use drugs, I found myself amongst a movement of workers who were ‘heart centric.’ It was deeply moving and I wanted to learn from them the best ways to build services and systems that were inclusive and distinct in their understanding of ‘nothing about us without us.’ Working for government, with tax dollars, allows for this at all turns, and that was intriguing.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Sound of Music (of course!)

What’s your proudest professional or personal accomplishment?

Personally, moving to Mono County at age 52 is at the top of the list; and to have made a life, created community and friendships, and a career took tenacity and perseverance. Daily, I try to make my county a better place for others, and I’m fortunate to be able to enhance that through my work. Outside of my county job, I have a private psychotherapy practice that I’ve grown over thirty five years (and love). I was a Public Radio programmer for twelve years, day time variety show, and that was outstanding!

Who is your hero?

People who live from the heart and choose vulnerability over being hidden.