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This is one in a series of question and answer sessions with Family & Children’s Place Ambassadors, young business and community leaders helping build support for and awareness of the agency and its work.

Question: Why did you get involved as an Ambassador with Family & Children’s Place?
Answer: Most importantly to help families in our area that deal with unfortunate situations, but also to learn more about the organization and find ways that I can help spread our mission to end child abuse.

Q: What’s your day job?
A: General manager of Southern Indiana for Aramark.  I partner with Greater Clark County Schools, East Gibson School District, Evansville Christian, Reitz Memorial High School, and Joshua Academy as their director of Food Services.

Q: What person do you consider to be your greatest influencer in terms of your own personal values?
A: My brother, Troy.  He is one of the most generous, kind, and caring persons you will ever meet.  He is the person that no matter who you are or what your story is, he will be there to help in any way he can. I think of myself as a kind person and would help anyone in need; however, I strive to be better because of him!

Q: What do you hope to achieve by 50?
A: I want to have a family of my own and continue to be a successful business woman.

Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant, and why do you love it?
A: That is a hard question for me. I am food, that is what I do every single day!  I am not sure that I can pinpoint one restaurant, but the ones I find myself going back to often are those that take time get to know their customers, take an interest in their guests, and educate them on their food.  If I had to name one, I would say Against the Grain.

Q: What does a perfect day look like to you?
A: Making at least one person believe in themselves.  Helping them improve their self-worth, regardless if its work related or in their personal life.  Having the sun shine bright always helps too!

Q: What teacher in school made the most impact on you and why?
A: High School it would be Coach Tim Bless.  He was a motivator, pushed his students to their limits and beyond.  He always encouraged me to be the best athlete I could be, but more importantly, he made me strive to be a business woman with values that could change any organization I would be a part of.  College professor  would be Kathy Bohley.  She was a mentor to young women, especially me.  Always went above and beyond to see her students succeed.  She is a powerful woman that uses her influences for good and helps her students take a stance for what is right.

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of so far in your life?
A: Overcoming obstacles, learning from my mistakes and teaching others that they too, can overcome anything once you put your mind to it.

Q: What is your best childhood memory?
A: Being with my family.  My parents instilled in my brother and me at a very young age that it doesn’t matter how much money you have or the clothes you wear, that life is about being a good person, making the best of what life has to offer, and lending a helping hand in anything that you can.

Q: When you were little, what did you want to be?
A: A veterinarian.

Q: If you could have lunch with one person (alive or dead) that you look up to, who would it be and why?
A: My Grandpa Harris.  He passed away before I was born, but his legacy lives on in so many people.  Every time I am in my grandma and grandpa’s hometown, still 38 years after his passing people still comment on what an outstanding person he was.  He worked on the farm his entire life and in his “free” time, he drove a bus for the school system.  He spent his entire life providing for his family and the people in his community.  Being a leader, he demanded the success of his community, whether it be sports related, school related, or just life in general. He always made time to mentor young people.  I have been told from many people in the community that he cared about people and wanted them to be successful in every journey they took.  I would love the opportunity to spend just one day with him, and at the end of the day, I would hope that I would make him proud of the granddaughter he never got to meet.

Q: What is your favorite hobby (outside of Family & Children’s Place of course)?
A: I love sports.  I played college volleyball and I love to barefoot waterski.  Anything outdoors like hiking, gardening, exercising.