I am proud to live in Vadnais Heights

Vadnais Height’s Planning Commission

Over the past couple years, I have served on the Vadnais Height's Planning Commission where I have challenged developers to communicate how their projects benefit our community and not only their business interests. As an elected Council Member, I will continue to ask for developers to invest in our community with smart development and amenities/features that benefit the public.

Volunteer Work

In addition to my role on the Planning Commission, I have also engaged with our community through volunteering with the Vadnais Lakes Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO). I have hosted rain barrel workshops and invited the public to my home to see ways (e.g. rain barrels, rain gardens, native flower plantings) that private property can contribute to water management, resilient landscaping, and support wildlife. I was recognized for my volunteer efforts with the VLAWMO "Volunteer of the Year" award in 2021. I now use my training as a Minnesota Water Steward to help people plan projects in their own yards to increase resiliency, wildlife value, and help with storm water management.

As an elected Council Member, I will continue to make sure our City protects our natural environment through environmentally conscious development/re-development and investments so we can continue to enjoy wildlife in our backyards.

I believe I have the skills necessary to be a successful representative for you in our city government.

As a scientist-by-training (Microbiology Ph.D - this links to my publications.), I have critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. I can deep dive into a topic to understand it from multiple perspectives. I enjoy engaging in thoughtful discussions, particularly when it challenges my understanding and helps me learn (who wants to live in an echo chamber of the same ideas and opinions anyways?). This will be helpful in making sure our City Council makes the best decisions for our community.

I know how to read and analyze financial statements. I worked for investment banks after graduate school. That’s a fun story how this happened. If you’re curious - I’ve provided more details about my career path below.

Research Scientist turned Investment Banker

I am a life-long learner with a never-ending need to learn and discover. This personality trait is a large part of the reason I pursued a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Microbiology and thought I would one day be a tenured professor and run a research lab. However, I also have an interest in business and finance, so that interest drew me away from “research bench” science into the work of Biotech Equity Research.

I used to work for investment banks as a Biotech Stock Analyst. The banks wanted Ph.D. scientists that knew how to dive deep into the science and determine if the clinical-stage drug/therapeutic being pursued by a pharmaceutical or biotech company would likely work, and if it did, how well and how many people would use this product when it eventually reaches the market. This role required an understanding of both science and finance. The science part was easy. However, finance was not something I learned from my B.S. and Ph.D. in Microbiology. I self-taught myself finance through studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst Level 1 Exam (click link to learn what this is). I studied for this exam on my “free time” during my Microbiology Ph.D. studies. I learned financial accounting, equity investments, portfolio management and other financial topics. I was successful in passing that 5-hour long exam (which has a pass rate of about 50%, despite test takers being largely MBA students) - and passing that exam was essential to getting the job on Wall Street.

In my Stock Analyst role, I examined financial statements of biotechnology companies, used Excel to develop financial models that project company expenses and revenues. These financial models derived stock price targets which were then used to give Buy/Hold/Sell ratings on stocks. My work was packaged into research reports that were then sold to hedge funds and mutual funds, or used by the bank’s internal sales/trading desks to drive stock transactions. It was intense work that didn’t slow down in the evenings or weekends. I eventually decided sacrificing work/life balance was not my life goal. It paid very well, but there was no time to even enjoy life. Also, it was not a fulfilling career when you realize that your career and life was basically dedicated to “making rich people even richer.” I left investment banking and returned back to my roots in Minnesota.

Now I am a Regulatory Affairs Professional

Now I work for Abbott Diabetes Care, a business unit of of Abbott - a large nutritional and medical device company. I am a Regulatory Affairs Professional who supports new product development like the FreeStyle Libre 3 Continuous Glucose Monitor hat has helped many individuals manage diabetes better and lead more independent and fulfilling lives. #AbbottProud. My current work involves understanding medical device regulations, and working with the FDA to gain and maintain marketing authorization for the FreeStyle Libre product. I have found this career to satisfy my life-long learner needs, incorporate strategic business/regulatory thinking, and fulfill my desire to contribute to something beneficial to society.

Minnesota Native

I grew up in Willmar, Minnesota - a rural city in West Central Minnesota with about 20,000 residents. I was raised with an appreciation for nature early in life due to living outside the city limits on a 2-acre lot near lakes and wetlands. Similar to Vadnais Heights, I frequently saw deer and other wildlife in the yard and welcomed a feeling of being a part of nature. The majority of my extended family resides in Minnesota and I am happy to live in a state and in a community that provides amazing amenities, the feeling of living among nature, and keeps me close to extended family.

I have lived in many communities, but Vadnais Heights is my favorite

I have lived in multiple, varying states and urban settings through my lifetime which has given me a variety of experiences of community, including:

Within Minneapolis and St. Paul city limits: 2006-2010 during undergraduate at the University of Minnesota (Microbiology B.S.).

In Coralville, Iowa and Cedar Rapids, Iowa during graduate school at the University of Iowa from 2010-2016 (Microbiology Ph.D). My husband and I met during that time and we got married in 2014.

Midtown Manhattan of New York City. (2016-2017). That’s an expensive place to live and we lived in a studio apartment!

Evanston, Illinois - just outside Chicago city limits (2017).

And then back to Minnesota.

My husband and I fell in love with the lakes and trails of Vadnais Heights. We choose to start our family here. We welcomed to the world our daughter Ember. My happy toddler enjoys the outdoors, dogs, and Baby Shark. Do you know Baby Shark? If you don’t know, you can find it on Youtube - but I don’t recommend it.

Gardening for Pollinators and Wildlife

If you read about my engagement in our community , I hope you took away that I care about the environment. My appreciation for nature is reflected in the gardens I sustain for pollinators and wildlife, as well as my volunteer work.