I grew up in south Salt Lake County in an isolated religious community where poverty was a daily reality and opportunity was limited. From a young age, I took on responsibility, helping care for my siblings and learning early what it meant to navigate hardship and uncertainty.
 

I was determined to build a different future. As a teenager, I realized that education was the best way I could build independence, so I enrolled myself in night school. I married young and started a family, but later made the difficult decision to leave my marriage and commit to building a stable life for myself and my children.

As a single mother, I went back to school and enrolled at Salt Lake Community College, where I earned two associate degrees. I later transferred to the University of Utah and completed a double major in sociology and political science, graduating with honors.

 

During those years, I balanced work and family, including raising a child with special needs, while navigating systems like healthcare, education, and disability services. Those experiences showed me how government systems work and where they don’t work for families who need them most.

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I built my career in financial services, helping individuals and families plan for stability and security, and saw firsthand how economic stability shapes opportunity.
 

I’ve been an advocate and community leader, serving on the board of Tapestry Against Polygamy and working to support women and children leaving vulnerable situations. Through AmeriCorps and local political organizing, I’ve focused on strengthening communities and expanding opportunity.

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My experiences have shaped the values that guide me: empathy, accountability, and a belief that government should work for people. I believe we have a responsibility to build systems that support families, create opportunity, and strengthen our communities.
 

More than anything, my family is at the center of my life. I’ve been married to my husband Tony for 16 years, and together we’ve built a strong, supportive family. I am currently a caregiver for my elderly mother and help care for my grandchildren, who mean everything to me. I’m running for the Utah Legislature to build a better future for them and for every child and every family across our state, because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.