Disability researcher and entrepreneur.

Since completing my PhD at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health in 2014, I have been running Live & Learn, Inc., a consultancy that works with governments, nonprofits, and community members to improve mental health, economic empowerment, and social connectedness through community-based participatory research. My projects center small business development, nonprofit sustainability, and workforce wellness.

As the project director on six federal R&D grants, as well as several smaller projects, I have 20 years’ experience with program and policy evaluation, grant management, organizational development, and leading diverse multi-generational teams. I am passionate about working with colleagues and stakeholders, and forming lasting, reciprocal, and mutual relationships. Over the course of my career, I have relied on these types of relationships to sustain my business, offer mentorship opportunities for junior colleagues, and to improve not just public policy but the wellness and effectiveness of all involved.

As a certified SCORE small business mentor and ESL tutor, I am dedicated to helping individuals identify and strategically achieve their goals. I love working with entrepreneurs and emerging leaders who are making a positive impact on their communities by facing their fears and chasing their dreams.