Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I am a creature of habit and therefore, did not journey “too far from home” when contemplating where I wanted to raise my family. I grew up in Northbrook and moved back to Northbrook shortly after my daughter was born almost 15 years ago. I actually live about 10 houses down from the house that I grew up in!
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
I have a 14-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son.
Favorite things to do with your children?
I like to do different things with both of my children. My daughter and I love to chit chat, shop, dine and bake together. With my son, our favorite things to do our sports related. Most of our time together revolves around watching or taking sports. I have even be known to put on a mitt, channel my high school softball days and throw a baseball around with him. As a family, we love to spend time over winter break in Mexico together, hanging by the pool and eating fajitas!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
Fun Fact- I was 49ers NFL player, Jimmy Garrappolo’s fourth and fifth grade teacher.
Serious Fact- I am a breast cancer survivor. At 36 years old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. This diagnosis completely caught me off guard and definitely sent me in a direction that I didn’t think I was ready to tackle. You know what they say, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice that you have.” I have certainly come out on top and here I am seven years stronger and dedicated to supporting and advocating for other young women battling this terrible disease.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
I would love to thank my community of friends, especially the ones who had children before me. Without their advice and knowledge based on previous experiences, I don’t know (and still don’t know) how I would make it through this crazy journey. I would be remiss if I also did not mention my incredible partner in life, my husband Stuart. Together with equal parts, our energy is directed at raising our children to be positive, successful, and compassionate human beings.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes! I’m so proud to be a Support Ambassador for Bright Pink, an organization that I once found great support. Bright Pink is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer. Our North Suburban group is not one of those “clubs” that you want to find yourself a member in, but for young women who are at high risk or have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, out outreach support group provides invaluable support through shared experiences and understanding. I have continued to stay involved over the years with Bright Pink because I know what I can provide in terms of support to others who are dealing with many of the same feelings and experiences that I once had. Bright Pink is on a mission to help EVERY woman understand their risk for breast and ovarian cancer and empower them to take action. They help women understand their risk through their tool, Assess Your Risk. I encourage every woman reading this to take this simple 19-question quiz that asks you personal health, family health, lifestyle and genetic questions and gives you a personalized risk result for breast and ovarian cancer. Please also share this Assess Your Risk with the women in your life!
How has the North Shore community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
The North Shore is an amazing community to live and work in. I have been able to build “my village” of friends and community members who have supported my family and I during some difficult times. Being that I also grew up on the North Shore it is always comfortable to see so many friendly faces almost everywhere I go!