Born in Montana and raised in Boise, Idaho; bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montana State University and a master’s degree in psychology from Walden University; served 14 years in eastern Idaho providing mental health services to families; employed with state government managing departments, including education and public and behavioral health, with projects focused on mental health, HIV, homelessness, suicide, and drug and alcohol treatment and prevention; public speaker since age 19 and served on many national, statewide, and local boards and committees focused on building positive community change.
