How long have you lived in Nederland?

Since 2018

Briefly describe your current career and home life?

I live with my husband and nine-year-old son but also have two sons in college. I am a serial tech startup business operator who is passionate about democratizing access to technology for folks. Last year I co-founded a company called Women Defining AI to help women demystify AI as only a third of women were using AI compared to over half of men. In my spare time, I love plants, trying my husband’s newest food creations, and walking around on our trails.

Briefly describe your educational and professional experience and explain how your skill set can best serve the Town of Nederland.

I started my professional career in HR and eventually started my own vertical garden business and then moved into other facets of startup life: marketing, operations, and finance. I’ve worked in various industries from non-profits to a hospital-system to now where I feel the most at home: the tech world. While my varied background gives me the ability to offer input on various municipal functions, from operations to public engagement to finance, it’s the creativity and grit I’ve picked up along my career that probably offers the most opportunity for Ned. Obstacles are just opportunities disguised and the ability to be in it for the long run, positions me well to continue to help Ned.

In your words please explain why you wanted to run for this position.

People told me initially not to run because the board had a reputation of being dysfunctional, not being able to make decisions, and either bickering with each other to the point that nothing got done or having enough “friends” on the board to create “voting blocks.” That, I said, would be the first thing I would hope to influence. By showing up every day ready to find solutions and not backstab my colleagues or Town staff, I hope folks see me as an independent thinker, focused on surfacing as much data as possible, and finding the best solution forward for the town. I’m running because this is hard. It’s hard to hear the public rake your name over the coals and it’s hard to sometimes make decisions. But I like hard things and I like making a difference for the community.

Of the major projects/issues currently facing the BOT (Bobcat Ridge annexation, downtown redevelopment, TEENS, Inc. child care proposal, suggestions for code change to come from the comprehensive plan update, suggestions for streets improvements to come from the multimodal transportation plan, the Chipeta Park pump track, tourism initiatives, water and sewer infrastructure, securing water rights, the keeping animals ordinance, the commitment to Proposition 123 and affordable housing development, an interconnected trails system, etc.) which would you make your top priorities?

Securing Water Rights

Gotta have water! Enough said.

Comprehensive Plan Update (includes Sub-Area plan of the CBD)

This is number two because it is grant funded and towns are obligated to update every ten years and we are at that mark.

Streets Improvements (from multimodal & Strategic Goals)

The outcomes from the multimodal plan will take time to secure grants and work with CDOT so we will need to start working on this immediately

Commitment to Proposition 123.

Securing affordable housing was one of my commitments when I ran for appointment. This last year I saw the Housing Study through and was very adamant about our commitment to Prop 123.

Follow through on the rest of the Strategic Goals

I know this was not a part of your list but I would not be a responsible leader if I were not carving a path for our team to accomplish that which we already directed them to do. The turnover of the BOT creates chaos as well as new initiatives when what the town needs is stability and consistency so things get done.

Who, if anyone, would you consider a mentor or figure who inspired you to run for this position? How did they inspire you?

No one really inspired me to run for this position but there are people that have encouraged me to always “just try it.” From my closest girlfriends to my biggest champion, my husband, they always tell me to go do it if I’m curious. That’s how small town municipal government happened for me. I was curious. So, I applied. I found out I really liked solving the tough problems, so, I’m going for another round. I guess I’m a glutton for pain.

Have you ever, or are you currently, serving on any boards for any non-profit organizations? If not, what organizations, or causes, have you considered joining?

Currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the Town of Nederland and I am liaison to the Sustainability Advisory Board.

Of Nederland’s various boards and subcommittees (Board of Zoning Adjustment, Nederland Downtown Development Authority, Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Board, Planning Commission, Sustainability Advisory Board, Youth Advisory Board), which would you be most interested in serving as liaison for and why? (Mayoral candidates please answer hypothetically)

I am open to any appointments of where they need help. I had the pleasure of helping SAB, the NDDA, and PROSAB help identify their own strategic goals after the BOT created theirs, so I got to know some of the other boards. Oftentimes BOT members have a very specific idea of what board they want to liaison to, but I am happy to give everyone else their first pick and I will fill in the gap.

Taking into consideration that the community is outspoken against tourism but the Town budget is seemingly reliant on tourism revenue, as Mayor/Trustee, how would you mitigate tourism-based initiatives as they come up on the agenda?

Not everyone is outspoken about tourism. Our business owners know and rely on tourism dollars and they want the BOT to remember that. I am also a small business owner so I understand their concerns. I am in favor of tourism management and want initiatives that capture the folks already going through our town. Locals get upset when tourists don’t treat our community well or when initiatives pop up that support tourists over local needs. Totally understand that and that’s why I believe in a “locals first” strategy (i.e. streets, sidewalks, etc.) to create a great town for locals first and tourists should always come second.

Have you reviewed the 2024 Strategic Plan? Of the listed priorities for 2024 which are most important to you as a resident of Nederland? In your opinion as a resident of Nederland is there a priority for the Town that was not listed in the Strategic Plan?

Yes, I’ve reviewed it. I was a final author of the plan. I took the “approved” version and with Miranda, our Town Administrator, we made it specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound. As a resident of Ned I would say that what is most important is the same as the “Of the major projects/ issues currently facing the BOT…” question above. However, I would also say I really, really want to get the Big Springs Egress site identified and secure funding for the second bridge.

The Town of Nederland, having committed to Proposition 123, is required to provide 13 affordable housing units in three years. What are your suggestions for how to achieve this goal? Do you believe that the Boulder County requirements for what constitutes affordable housing is acceptable for Nederland?

It’s 100% acceptable for Nederland. It may be ambitious but we need every one of those 13 units. We start by identifying the buildable lots we have, which is already under way, as well as start to reach out to organizations that can build these affordable communities and manage them (also underway). From there we get estimates and go after the Prop 123 funding and Phase 2 DOLA grants which are supplying both land acquisition money as well as building funds for affordable housing. Very excited about this and very excited about meeting our Prop 123 goal.

How familiar are you with the Town of Nederland’s 2024 budget? How would you mitigate a discussion or action item on your agenda that is of concern to the community but is not prioritized in either the budget or the 2024 Strategic Plan?

I am very familiar with the 2024 budget. I don’t know if I would mitigate a discussion or action item on the agenda that is of concern to the public. The Strategic Goals are meant to be fluid and adaptable to changing needs. If something is a huge concern and we missed it on our Strategic Goals, it’s a great opportunity for the community to say, “Wait! This is really important! You missed it!” But, the bigger challenge is to discern if a community concern is a priority for the greater good. My question will always come back to: “is it more important than anything else already on the Strategic Plan?” If so, then it’s a great opportunity to amend the Strategic Plan to include it. Furthermore, it’s also important to point out that some things are just a part of everyday BOT procedure but shouldn’t be on the Strategic Goals (i.e. SRUs or PUDs).

In relation to the several proposals on the BOT’s table that involve large development projects either in the heart of downtown Nederland or sprawling just beyond our borders, requiring annexation, the term “responsible growth” has been used liberally. How do you describe responsible growth for Nederland?

For me “responsible growth” means sustainable development that balances economic expansion with the preservation of the town’s natural environment and cultural heritage. It involves careful planning to support local businesses and managing tourism while maintaining the town’s character and protecting its scenic landscapes and wildlife. It prioritizes community well-being, environmental stewardship, and long-term viability over short-term gains, ensuring the town remains a desirable place to live, work, and visit for my kids and eventually their kids. Nothing more, nothing less. It’s a balance for sure and it’s a hard balance to strike but it’s a hard balance worth working for.

You can reach me by mail at PO BOX 2017, Nederland, CO 80466