Executive Director of the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance
UW Major: Comparative History of Ideas
Tell us a bit about your job (e.g. what kinds of things you’re working on, what types of problems you solve day to day, etc.)?
I am the Executive Director of the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance where I work to help preserve agricultural lands in the Snoqualmie Valley. I am also the board president of Farms for Life (where we connect local sustainable farms with people impacted by the hunger crisis) and the board development chair at Growing Veterans (where we use organic farming and dirt therapy to mitigate and address mental health issues including suicide and PTSD). I am happy to also be a part of the inaugural Leadership Whidbey class right now where I am working with a small group to address environmental issues on Whidbey Island. Essentially, I spend every day thinking about our local farmers and local food systems.
How do you think your humanities education has influenced/advanced your career path?
Apart from my parents and my upbringing, the humanities helped make me who I am today. I am thankful to CHID and UW for giving me the best opportunity to study in the humanities during my time as an undergraduate. The practical skills I developed in research and writing set me up to successfully go on and obtain my law degree, while the social and critical thinking skills I developed provided a strong foundation for me to pursue a career advocating for positive change in my community. The instructors I had in the humanities have turned into lifelong friends who still challenge and encourage me to develop as a leader.
Want to read more? Check out the profiles on the Alumni Spotlights page for more information on what our humanities majors are up to.