Hi! Originally from Northern Kentucky (Union), I moved to Lexington to attend Transylvania University in 2004. I fell in love with this city and never left! I went to UK Law after Transy, and started in private practice here in Lexington in 2011. I’ve always been passionate about community service, so working with non-profits outside of work has always been important to me and kept me busy. That led me to my current position at Fayette Alliance, which for me is the perfect combination of my skill set and passion for Lexington. Since I moved here, this city struck me as a place with such an identity, but also somewhere I could plug in, get involved, and make a difference. I never get tired of driving 15 minutes outside of the city center and being surrounded by farmland – it still takes my breath away. I met my husband through mutual friends in 2012, and the rest was history! Although neither of us is from Lexington, we’ve built a family of friends here (and our rescue dog, Henry!) , and love all this vibrant city has to offer. We love to travel, and you can find us at racetracks (my husband works for Keeneland) and beaches around the world, but Lexington will always be home.
Q: How long have you lived/worked in Lexington?
18 years
Q: What led you to your current career and why do you love it?
I was practicing real estate law in Lexington for many years, through which I was able to meet so many interesting people. My husband and I have always been passionate about farmland in Lexington – and Lexington’s uniqueness because of it – and through a combination of those two, I was introduced to Fayette Alliance. When the opportunity came to leave the practice of law and become Executive Director of Fayette Alliance, it was a surprise. I truly hadn’t considered being able to combine my passion for community service with my skill set and work experience in real estate. But I took a leap and have never looked back. I love the work we do at Fayette Alliance – for smart, equitable, and sustainable growth in Lexington-Fayette County through land-use advocacy, education, and research. Our mission is to sustainably grow our community, to meet the needs of our community members but also to balance our vibrant city with our productive and unique Bluegrass farmland. We’re one of the most unique cities in the world, and the way we grow our community truly impacts every single one of us. I’m so energized by the advocacy work we do at City Hall around planning and zoning policy, the educational programming we offer to the community on the same, and the fact that we are driven by objective research to support these efforts since our founding in 2006. I’m proud that our small non-profit can have a big impact on the future of Lexington.
Q: What would you like for people to know about your job/business?
The work that we do at Fayette Alliance around land-use advocacy, education, and research, impacts every one of us and the way we live, work, and play in Lexington. As mundane as it can sound sometimes, planning and zoning policies are the building blocks of our community and shape the future of Lexington-Fayette County. Lexington is an extraordinary place because we have been thoughtful and innovative for so long about the way we grow our community. We have a vibrant urban core – amazing restaurants, breweries, neighborhoods, and more – and are surrounded by some of the most beautiful, fertile, and productive farmland in the country. Lexington’s planning and zoning policies create the balance between these two to keep Lexington such an extraordinary and unique place. It can be very difficult work – and Fayette Alliance was founded in 2006 to bring community voices to the table to weigh in on decisions around these policies. We believe that with thoughtful and innovative planning, Lexington can continue to grow in a smart, equitable, and sustainable way. But it will take hard work from all of us as community members, and that’s what Fayette Alliance will continue to work for. Lexington is worth it!
Q: What or who has been your biggest inspiration?
My late grandfather has been my biggest inspiration throughout my life. He was a trust and estate attorney at a large Milwaukee law firm, but was a pillar of the community as well, doing a lot of pro bono work and non-profit work as well, including for the Mississippi Valley Conservancy. He and my grandmother were avid environmentalists, and protecting rural land in Wisconsin in perpetuity was a great passion of theirs. When he passed away, a longtime colleague of his told us that he embodied a beautiful Quaker saying, “let your life speak”, by living his values and the immeasurable contributions he made to others. It was a legacy that took my breath away – and I am reminded of it everyday as I try to do the same.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Lexington and what is your go-to item on the menu?
This is a tough one because there are so many good ones! Right now, it’s Pearl’s , and my go-to menu items are the cauliflower wings (so spicy!) and whatever the special pizza is. The crust is too good. Another is J. Renders – you can NEVER go wrong with the meatloaf sandwich! Both local and owned by great people.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I’ve got two answers for this as well. The first is to Kenya for a safari. I’ve never been, and it’s at the top of my list. To see not only the expanse of land and sky, but animals that have walked those lands for longer than we can fathom. To drink a G&T and watch an African sunset is my ideal trip. And second, is to my grandmother’s cabin in rural Wisconsin. My entire family grew up visiting there for weeks during the summer, holidays, and more, and it’s where my most cherished memories are. It’s conserved land consisting of trails through the prairie and woods – and I love the idea that people will continue to enjoy it for the next 100 years.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Lexington?
My favorite thing about Lexington is that we have a thriving urban center surrounded by beautiful and productive Bluegrass farmland. I can be in rolling green hills which, while beautiful, are also businesses that give Lexington such a unique and resilient economy. The balance between our city and our rural land is precious, and through my work at Fayette Alliance I’ve seen how difficult it can be to maintain. But it makes us unique in the country and in the world, and the hard work to keep it is worth it for Lexington’s future.
Q: Where do you take friends and family from out of town when they visit?
The first stop is usually Kentucky Native Cafe—people are always shocked such an oasis exists in downtown Lexington! Next is Mill Ridge Farm – the perfect place to feed carrots to the horses that help make Lexington the “Horse Capital of the World”, and see our urban/rural balance in action (Mill Ridge backs up to Lafayette High School and plenty of neighborhoods). After a visit to our iconic farmland, if it’s April or October, it’s straight to Keeneland for a day of racing! Finally, dinner downtown at Dudley’s and a nightcap at Bar Ona.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself right here in Lexington, with my husband Dean and our dog Henry, continuing to enjoy this beautiful city. I hope to still be leading Fayette Alliance, and to see the hard work we do to grow our city sustainably and equitably paying off. I look forward to walking downtown and seeing a completed Town Branch Park, a thriving farmer’s market and local businesses, and being able to enjoy this community with my family and friends.
Q: If you could have lunch with any living person, who would it be?
David Attenborough. Someone who has seen the world – really seen it – and continues to advocate for what he feels our society must do to save it for future generations.
Q: Where can we find you on your day off?
You can find me with a book on a bench at Ashland Park, hiking at the Red River Gorge, or traveling off on an adventure!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To see orcas in the San Juan Islands
Q: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
My parents both passed away in the last few years, unexpectedly, and it changed my perspective on life. I’ve always been an optimist and believed in living life to the best of my ability – but now, there’s a real understanding of how life short is. I want to love people hard, live well, do something I love, and spend time with those I cherish the most.
Q: What is a topic you wish you knew more about?
Kentucky history! My husband is a history buff so I try to glean things from him, but I’d love to know more about the history of Lexington – the land, the industry, and more.
Q: What is your favorite movie or TV show & what are you currently binge-watching?
My favorite movie is Interstellar. Currently watching The Dropout, the story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, which is fascinating.
Q: What do you feel is an essential part of your daily or weekly routine that contributes to your overall well-being?
A morning walk with my dog, Henry – I need to get fresh air and break a sweat to be the most productive! And another weekly requirement is time with friends – my friendships energize me and bring me joy.
Q: If you were cast in a movie, who would your co-star be?
Jennifer Lawrence. I think we’d have a ball.
Q: Who is your go-to band or artist when you can’t decide on something to listen to?
Haim. How much fun would it be to be in a band with your sisters?
Q: If you could give advice to any group of people, what would it be?
Spending time building good relationships is ALWAYS worth it. Whether that’s with your partner, your friends, your colleagues, your neighbors, whoever. And also, be kind. Always be kind. You never know where it will lead you, and you will always be better because of it.
