The Professional: 

Born and raised in New Jersey, I always had a knack for math and analytical puzzles. From an early age, I loved solving problems and finding patterns in things, but I was equally in love with the natural world around me. My future career choice was a “professional hiker” at age seven. Civil engineering became the perfect way to combine those passions through the built environment. 

I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and later completed my master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. During my junior year of college, I discovered hydraulics in my Fluid Mechanics course and immediately fell in love with it. The realization that natural world was so perfect, it could be understood, modeled, and quantified through exact equations was both exciting and inspiring. I was fortunate to receive guidance from a hydrology professor who encouraged me to pursue water resources, and that advice ultimately shaped the course of my career. 

For the first nine years of my professional career, I worked in Denver, Colorado, developing expertise in stormwater management. What continues to motivate me is the challenge of balancing technical problem-solving with environmental stewardship. Every project presents an opportunity to better understand the interaction between natural systems and the communities we build, and I enjoy finding practical solutions that serve both. 

Today, I live in Vermont near Lake Champlain, where I continue to pursue work that combines analytical thinking, creativity, and a deep appreciation for water and the environment.  

The Inner Flame:

Right out of school, I was always chasing the next adventure. Whether it was a camping trip in the mountains, a weekend music festival, or a cross-country road trip to visit friends who had scattered across the country, exploring new places and experiences was what fueled me. It was the reward for working hard and the thing I always looked forward to when I stepped away from the office. 

Seven years ago, I met my husband, Scott, who is also part of the Kampfire Partners team. As our relationship grew and we purchased our first home together, which was a bit of a fixer-upper that required plenty of patience and projects, my definition of adventure began to evolve. The focus shifted from constantly seeking the next destination to building a life together and creating a place that felt like home. 

After nearly a decade in Colorado, we decided it was time to return east and be closer to family, including my three nephews. The adventure hasn’t stopped, it simply looks different these days. Now it might be a hike through a nearby state park, buying fresh produce from a local farm, spending a Sunday trying a new recipe, or celebrating my three-year-old nephew’s birthday surrounded by family. 

Leaving city life behind has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for both my mental and physical well-being. While adapting to a more rural lifestyle has certainly been a change of pace, it has opened the door to a new chapter filled with community, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the simple things. The adventure continues, just in a different form than I ever expected.