I’m a Realtor and the owner of a small art gallery and pottery studio in the Hamlet of Highland, where I’ve lived for the past five years. I moved here from New Paltz, where I raised my daughters, to be close to my mother as she ages. My brother and his family live nearby in Eddyville.

Before relocating to Highland in 2019, I was an active member of the New Paltz Democratic Committee for several years. Upon moving to Lloyd, I joined their committee and have been deeply involved in local campaigns ever since. My contributions have included helping Tim Rogers during his first campaign for New Paltz Village Mayor, providing photography and design work for Jen Metzger’s initial State Senate campaign, and assisting with various other campaigns. Additionally, I’ve worked on design projects for the Ulster County Democrats and served on their technology team for virtual conventions.

My career has been diverse and largely self-employed. I began as a massage therapist, a profession I practiced for 15 years. After moving to the Hudson Valley from Long Island in 2004, I transitioned to real estate and built a successful career as a Realtor. When the market crashed in 2008, I returned to massage therapy and ran a private practice in New Paltz for 5 years.

In 2015, I felt it was time for a new direction. I enrolled at SUNY Ulster to study graphic design and photography, returning to my first passion—the arts. Just as I was launching my creative career, Covid struck. In 2021, my partner and I purchased a small storefront in Highland, where I opened an art gallery and pottery studio to support local artists.

Since then, I’ve helped establish the Highland Open Studio Tour, which has become a successful community event. We’ve organized two tours with maps, websites, signage, and marketing materials, and I currently serve as President of the organization. Our team is now working to establish it as a non-profit to support local artists. I also serve on the board of the Highland Business Association.

My daughters, now 23 and 25, are grown, and I have a reliable business partner at the pottery studio. These factors, combined with the support of my life partner Stefan Bolz, make this the right time for me to pursue a long-held goal: running for the Ulster County Legislature. My teaching schedule is flexible, and my role in real estate has shifted to more of a supportive position. Stefan, who owns Hello Dolly Real Estate, manages daily operations, while I focus on recruiting agents, building the website, and creating branding and marketing materials. Both Stefan and my studio partner are incredibly supportive of my decision to run.

I believe my experience in real estate has equipped me with valuable skills for legislative work, including problem-solving, negotiation, and teamwork. These abilities, combined with my passion for community, will help me serve effectively as a legislator.