The Wisdom That Guides Me
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” A friend shared this Winston Churchill quote with me more than a decade ago, and it has shaped my life in profound ways. It reminded me that purpose isn’t found in what we accumulate, but in what we contribute to others.
Living with a disability has fundamentally shaped who I am. It taught me to stay hopeful when the path was uncertain, to be courageous when challenges felt overwhelming, and to be resilient when life demanded more than I expected. Those lessons grounded me in a deep belief that every person should have the chance to rise, contribute, and build a future they’re proud of.
A Career of Service
I began my career as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Youth Futures, a shelter home for young people in Utah. Working with youth who were navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives showed me how powerful stability, compassion, and opportunity can be. I carried those lessons with me into my work at Salt Lake Community College, where I supported students who were striving to change their lives through education.
When I later joined Microsoft, I saw what it looks like when one of the largest companies in the world truly invests in the well‑being of its employees. I had the chance to connect with people at the forefront of innovation, and it reminded me that progress is built by those willing to imagine something better and work toward it every day.
My commitment to disability rights deepened when I moved back to Georgia. I’ve served on the board of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, and I currently serve on the Fulton County Commission on Disability Affairs. I also founded Disability Resource Advisors, a nonprofit that empowers people with disabilities to move beyond entry-level independence and build lives shaped by purpose, leadership, and contribution.
The Values That Drive Progress
These experiences shaped the leadership values I hold today. I believe progress happens when we work toward it consistently, day after day, issue by issue. I’ve learned how to collaborate across differences without compromising who I am or the values my community expects me to uphold.
Integrity guides my decisions, and I stay focused on practical, forward‑thinking solutions that create wIn-win conditions, rather than temporary fixes. For me, bipartisanship isn’t a strategy. It’s the foundation of sustainable progress.
Most importantly, I stay connected to the community. If people aren’t informed, included, and heard, policy will never reflect real life or move us forward.