I’ve spent the last thirteen years working alongside people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and that time has shaped every part of how I understand care, autonomy, and community. I began this work early, long before I had the language of “systems” or “equity.” What I knew immediately was that people deserve choice, dignity, and opportunities that actually fit their lives. That foundation has guided me through every role since.

I earned my bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and American Ethnic Studies, which gave me both the clinical lens and the sociopolitical framework to understand how disability intersects with race, culture, identity, and access. I’m now pursuing my MSW, continuing to deepen my grounding in ethical practice, program design, and justice-oriented approaches to care. Over the years, I’ve also done extensive DEI and equity work within disabled communities, helping organizations examine how policies, environments, and expectations either reinforce or remove barriers.

My approach is simple: the work should be human. It should be collaborative, flexible, and shaped by the people it’s meant to support; not by assumptions, outdated rules, or convenience. I believe in building systems that are both compassionate and functional, where autonomy isn’t treated as optional and where support is something people participate in, not something done to them. I focus on choice, communication, and making things accessible in real, practical ways.

What keeps me grounded in this field is the creativity of the people I work with and the belief that community care should feel good; for staff, for families, and especially for the individuals at the center. This work is where I’ve grown up professionally, and I’m committed to continuing to build spaces where people can thrive on their own terms.