I am a Master of Public Administration candidate at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, specializing in humanitarian and international security policy. Previously, I graduated cum laude from Oregon State University with four Honors Bachelor of Science degrees across five majors: Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Speech Communication, and Sustainability Sciences. I completed this rigorous academic journey in four years with the deliberate goal of addressing complex emergencies through a multidisciplinary lens.

My professional experience reflects both breadth and depth in tackling critical issues. As a homeless youth advocate and an Emergency Medical Technician, I have been on the frontlines, saving lives and supporting vulnerable populations. In 2019, I founded Safeguard Youth, a nonprofit providing safe spaces for survivors of childhood maltreatment like myself, fostering peer mentorship and trauma-informed advocacy. During the 2021 and 2023 legislative sessions, I worked as a legislative aide to Oregon Senators Sara Gelser Blouin and Wlnsvey Campos, where I managed diverse legislative portfolios spanning economic, environmental, and educational policy. I additionally facilitated the passage of groundbreaking legislation, including first-in-the-nation protections for youth in state care and expanded educational rights for students with disabilities.

I’ve held numerous other roles that sharpened my ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver impactful results. As a Governor-appointed trustee on Oregon State University’s Board of Trustees, I oversaw a $1.5 billion budget, approved large-scale infrastructure and research initiatives, and played a role in a successful nationwide search for a new University President. As a researcher, I’ve supported high-profile, grant-funded partnerships at both OSU and Columbia. I’ve also contributed to the work of United Nations, Save the Children, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of U.S. Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04). Currently, I am a John D. Solomon Fellow, embedded with the New York City Fire Department, where I support emergency management policy and resilience efforts.

On a personal note, I was born in an impoverished single-mother household and experienced maltreatment, homelessness, and parental incarceration. These experiences have profoundly shaped my career trajectory. I strive to be the person I needed when I was younger, dedicating my work to advancing youth well-being and building resilience in crisis environments.