My best days are spent listening to other people’s stories and sharing my own, finding out that although we’re different, we have much more in common than we ever guessed. My calling is to encourage others and foster a sense of belonging and spiritual home, particularly for those who have felt marginalized by the church.

Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of CenterPeace, a Christian non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ people and helps churches and families have Christ-like conversations on faith and sexuality. I am also on the leadership team of a new church plant in Dallas, Texas—an open and affirming Church of Christ.

While my tradition did not encourage women in pastoral roles, I have long had a pastoral heart. Over the past fifteen years, I have listened to the joys and sorrows of many people who have come to the doors of CenterPeace. And I have been blessed with meaningful opportunities to speak an encouraging word in churches, organizations, and educational institutions across the United States.

In former lives, I’ve coached high school and college speech and debate, and during a few years of insanity I practiced civil trial law.  From 2001 until 2011, I was an assistant professor in the communication department at Abilene Christian University. I loved my years of teaching and have a special place in my heart for young people.

Originally from small town Wichita Falls, Texas, I now call Dallas home, along with my family.