I moved to Deishú (Haines) AK, in 2007 from Wrangell, AK. I live here with my family – partner, kid, guinea pigs, dog- and wonderful community. Before I made my way to the North, I grew up on a sheep farm in upstate New York. It was there that I learned one of the most foundational lessons of my career from an unlikely mentor: Dee the donkey.

On a sheep farm, the traditional response to a threat—like coyotes—is often aggression. Shoot em. For generations, the instinct was to eliminate the “enemy” through force. But as many farmers discovered, that approach rarely solves the underlying problem.

Dee was different. As a guardian donkey, Dee protected the flock not through escalation, but through presence and a different kind of strength.

As we know, humans often default to aggressive measures or defensive postures when we feel our livelihoods or values are at stake. My experience with Dee reminds me that solving complex, entrenched issues requires us to step back and look at things differently. It teaches us to source “non-obvious” resources—like empathy, historical context, and creative collaboration—rather than falling back on the same old conflicts.

In my professional life, I’ve been described as a unique blend of qualities: intense yet laid-back, hardworking, and smart—but, as some have noted, ‘not so smart that it’s annoying.’ I bring this humor and grounded energy to every project I take on.

My ultimate goal is simple: to leave a positive impact during my time on earth. This drive to be of service is a quiet inheritance from my parents, grandparents, and ancestors. They passed down to me the capacity to serve my community, curiousity of the unknown, and a deep responsibility to improve societal conditions while honoring our relationship with the Earth and all its inhabitants.

When I am not behind the computer or in a facilitation room, I am often found nourishing my own perspective through wilderness exploration, striving to observe experiences through the eyes of my child, growing and harvesting food, or traveling to gain a fresh view of the world. These pursuits—along with visiting my far-away family—keep me balanced and ready to tackle the complex challenges of my work.