Leader Council; Chairman

Born: Carmel, IN

College and major: DePauw University, Political Science

Cities, states or countries lived in: Washington D.C., New York City, Pittsburgh, Chicago

Position: Supervisor, Alternative Prosecution & Sentencing Unit at Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office

“In my unit we prosecute cases that are nonviolent with an eye towards rehabilitation, avoiding a felony conviction if possible, and connection to resources in the community.”

Passions outside of work:

“I love to play tennis, I like to exercise, and in my spare time I like to read and travel. I also snow ski as well.”

Favorite travel destination:

“I would say that my favorite place to travel to is Culver, Indiana, because we have a lake house. The reason why I love going there is because I see a lot of family there and we have a lot of fun together. It’s not very exotic, but it is a very happy place for me.”

Most influential person growing up:

“Any sort of role model at the time I was growing up would be another female who was older than me, like a female mentor, who was able to balance having a family and having a career. Those were always role models to me growing up.”

Finding Mercy Home:

“I was invited to the Graduates’ Luncheon and attended a couple of times and then joined the Leader Council. When you’re introduced to the mission of the Home and you attend the Graduates’ Luncheon, when you hear the youth speak on the impacts that Mercy Home had on their lives – it’s hard not to want to get involved.”

Favorite part about Mercy Home’s mission:

“At the time I had joined [the board], I was several years in the juvenile court and we were doing what we refer to as abuse and neglect cases. And I saw these kids who had families who weren’t showing up, who didn’t have stable housing, who had a lot going on at home. So, I knew that was happening, and through case workers they would be connected to resources. But then, when I went to the Graduates’ Luncheon for Mercy Home and saw that there were resources like a place like Mercy Home, where those same sort of kids that I had seen through my work could come and have a safe and nurturing environment – I was definitely sold on Mercy Home and the mission of Mercy Home.”