Roots:
I was born in Los Angeles and have lived in San Diego since I was 8. I grew up near San Diego State University, which is where I also attended college and obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with an emphasis in Zoology.
Family Life:
My husband, Jeff, and I have will been married for 10 years at the end of October. We have been together for 13 years. We have 2 human children, Sammi (7) and Bodie (3), 3 dogs (Jolie, Ruby, and Tanner), and 3 red eared slider turtles.
Work Life:
During my time in college, I volunteered and interned with the Zoological Society of San Diego helping out with research projects such as the Indian Rhinoceros Project where I studied courtship behavior in the field exhibits and hormones in the Endocrinology lab. After graduating, I spent some time in biotech (as an Analytical Chemist) while continuing to volunteer for the Zoo. I spent a summer out on San Clemente Island as a Research Fellow where I helped out with the Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program.
While continuing to work in biotech as a profession, I continued to pursue my passion of working with animals by volunteering with Project Wildlife. I was hired on part-time as an Assistant Animal Care Technician at Project Wildlife a year later. This is where I met the Founder and Co-Founder of SoCal Parrot where I currently help out as the Administrative Manager & Critical Care Technician (when baby parrots need extra help, they come to my way for some extra TLC). During this time, I also earned a position in the Photo Caravan department at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. While working for both organizations I spent my free time studying animal behavior modification techniques and earning my Dog Training Certification through Animal Behavior College.
In 2008, I left my position at Project for a full-time position with the Elephant Department at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park. I worked as an Elephant Keeper and Trainer for 6 years.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned through my iGnite experience…
The biggest lesson I have learned through my iGnite experience is to take care of myself and to have fun! I love getting to know my neighbors and working out with other mamma’s who absolutely understand the ups and downs of motherhood. iGnite is so much more than a physical workout for me, it is nourishment for the mind as well.
The best advice I’ve been given… "It’s in the doing.” Meaning, it doesn’t matter if what you are working on comes out perfect (baking, a craft or project, etc.), what matters is if you had fun doing it!“
Happiness is a choice, not a result. Nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy. No person will make you happy unless you decide to be happy. Your happiness will not come to you. It can only come from you.”
If I were ice cream, I'd be this flavor...
Coffee flavored for sure.
My celebrity look-alike is…
I don’t see the resemblance myself but I have gotten Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman on several occasions. Both are beautiful, so I will happily take the compliment. ;o)
If I am looking forward to....
It’s really exciting to see how my children grow and change. We love being outside so I am looking forward to more outdoor adventures!
Something people may not know about me is...
My favorite class in college was Entomology. I have a small insect collection in a shadow box at home, and I have been known to rescue and/or pick up an insect to show my kids.
Who inspires you the most and why..
I feel inspired by so many people that surround me. My friends for sure help keep me going and striving to be the best I can be. I am constantly “wowed” by the many talented women in my life. My husband also definitely inspires me to just have fun. He always says that “life is too short to not enjoy what you are doing, so just have fun.” He is for sure the “fun parent.”