My cause is to share in meaningful challenges with thoughtful people, in order to build bridges from the everyday to the profound.

I'm driven to uncover and share meaningful stories, working with passionate people to transform complex ideas into engaging narratives that inspire and connect. I’ve discovered that what truly excites me – when I'm at my most engaged, doing my best work – is collaborating with other purpose-driven people on projects that create connections for others to something greater. It is endlessly fulfilling to reveal and highlight the profound nature of this world we live in. I hope to contribute to a world where more people feel a greater sense of hope, connection, and agency to make positive change, and my 20-year career in space science communications has been an expression of these values.

Perhaps unsurprising for someone with an astronomy degree, I'm a huge fan of sci-fi films and writing. You might say that's what ignited my passion for science in the first place—and led to a life-changing conversation with one of the storytellers who'd inspired me. In 2000, while living in NYC and realizing that theatre wasn't my true calling, I took a chance and wrote to my favorite sci-fi author, Charles Sheffield. I asked him how someone like me could have an impact in the space exploration world. His thoughtful reply:

Have you considered applying to NASA itself?  I don't mean as an astronaut or engineer, I mean as a person working in the Public Affairs Office. Your interest in space would show through, and your experience in presenting yourself to an audience would be a positive asset, more relevant to the job than detailed technical knowledge.  It would mean moving (to Washington or Houston or some other NASA site) but I see no way you can follow your dream in New York City.  However, I know you would be willing to undergo a major dislocation of lifestyle to get what you want.

The best of luck in your quest.

That email became my roadmap. I went back to school for astronomy and then found my way to communications and public engagement roles at NASA that have proved incredibly rewarding. I didn't get to thank him before he passed on, but I'd like to think Charles would be proud. His kindness in taking the time to respond thoughtfully to a stranger has inspired me to do the same whenever anyone reaches out to me for guidance.

My work at NASA has continued to evolve in unexpected and wonderful ways. What began in 2020 as taking night sky photos for NASA's "What's Up" video series has evolved into something far more personal. The quest for dark skies has led me to remote places – from desert landscapes to mountaintops to deep, dark forests. Each expedition to capture the Milky Way, stars, and planets reminds me that wonder can be found in our own backyard; we just need to know where to look. These images that connect the Earth and the sky have become a very personal and creative way for me to explore something greater.

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to collaborate with others on projects that exemplify the art of building bridges between people and profound ideas. When the Cassini mission faced its final chapter at Saturn, our team transformed what could have been seen as a tragic ending into a celebrated "Grand Finale," helping the public understand and embrace the spacecraft's daring last act. For the Juno mission, we created a literal connection between Earth and space, coordinating thousands of ham radio operators to send a message to the spacecraft as it passed by Earth (and it heard us!). When the 30th anniversary of the famous 'Pale Blue Dot' image approached, I led the effort to revisit the perspective-shifting portrait of Earth using modern image-processing software. In consultation with the original Voyager image planners, we brought a fresh approach to this powerful reminder of our planet's place in the vastness of space. Most recently, I led development of the Europa Clipper Vault Plate, weaving together poetry, science, and human voices into messages from one ocean world to another. Each of these projects has reinforced my belief in the power of thoughtful storytelling to create meaningful connections between the everyday and the extraordinary.

Looking forward, I hope to make my home in gorgeous Grand Junction, Colorado, where dark skies and dramatic landscapes will provide endless inspiration for my work. Whether crafting compelling narratives, developing engagement strategies, or creating inspiring content, I'm eager to collaborate with purpose-driven teams who share a vision of connecting people to bigger ideas.

If you see an opportunity where my experience in transforming complex concepts into engaging stories might align with your goals, I'd love to explore that connection. And as always, the best of luck in your quest.