It all started when my mom signed me up for a week-long theatre summer camp. It was a small, local theatre in my hometown of South Bend, IN. They were putting on a production of Annie. “You’ll have fun,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll just get a part in the chorus.” The joke was on her—I landed the titular role. From there, my love of theatre and storytelling has only grown.

I was involved in theatre all through middle school and high school, and then decided to pursue a degree in Theatre & Drama at Indiana University Bloomington—as well as two other degrees in English and Spanish. Always the avid reader, I inhaled novels and began to write my own short stories in my free time. Throughout my time at IU, I also found a passion for storytelling through social media marketing, serving as Director of Marketing and Communications for the undergraduate-run theatre troupe on campus.

All of those experiences have led me pursue a professional career in storytelling through institutional and nonprofit development—while doing some of the other things I love along the way. I have found that stories are our greatest tool of connection, whether that be through social media, a newsletter, or just a conversation. Connection leads to development, which has the ability to change someone’s life for the better.

Some of my short-term goals are to move to Chicago, pursue a Master’s Degree, and finally finish my list of unread books.