I try to combine wit, grit, and grace in my writing because all three connect us living human beings. Everyone experiences laughter, tears, and forgiveness along life’s journey. I strive to convey common good and human kindness that arise amidst gray moments.

My first career as a journalist involved writing news stories and documentaries for TV stations in Central Pennsylvania. I covered the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident. The documentaries addressed complex issues like end-of-life decisions, school prayer policies, and gambling legislation. I changed careers to join the front lines of non-profit organizations working to advance the common good.

During my first marriage, I lived in Minnesota for over 20 years, where I had several jobs. As Director of Family Services for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, we built and sold homes to limited-income households. As Senior Program Officer with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, we funded health improvement initiatives in low-resourced communities. My writing skills got me through memos, reports, and presentations with ease.

After my children left home, I moved to the majestic mountains of Western North Carolina and worked at UNC Asheville building partnerships with non-profits in the region. My last position led me to live in Washington, DC as a Project Director for The Pew Charitable Trusts where our team crafted health improvement strategies for communities across the nation. When working remotely became “a thing,” I returned to North Carolina. A year later, I retired.

Currently, I undertake occasional consulting projects and serve on the Board of Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. And at this stage of life, creative writing sits on my front burner with several projects underway. My wonderful husband, artisan ceramist extraordinaire Kurt Ross, and I live between North Carolina and New York City where I grew up. We enjoy our ‘spunk and chill’ canine companion Zadie, who we got in 2021 after Kurt retired from architecture.

As for post-secondary education I earned an MBA in marketing from the University of Minnesota, an MS in television and radio from Syracuse University and a BA in English from Wesleyan University.

As for hobbies, I enjoy Yoga, swing dancing, and running. I began training to run for just one marathon in 1997, hitting the streets at dawn before my little children awoke. But I kept going and have completed 60 of those 26.2 mile races, so far.