I believe in the power of strong writing, strong women and strong coffee. Since I first composed the family holiday letter when I was in the third grade (and probably even before that), I have been called to write. For most of my adult life, I have been a marketing professional and entrepreneur, but 2021 is my year to see where creativity may lead me. In 1995 at the age of 20, I joined the Army on a coin flip, and have been seeking out adventure and growth ever since. Today I'm an advocate for military veterans, as well as women who love books and being in the outdoors. I've worked closely with both these groups over the years, and I’ve seen their potential to affect change. Their stories infuse everything I do. Today I earn my living in higher education as a student veteran advocate, but previously I owned my own team building company and before that, I worked for over 15 years in corporate communications. I'm a mom, stepmom and wife, as well as an avid outdoorswoman and reader. I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.