I was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with my amazing, younger brother, Mark, who sadly passed away July 2024. The world of High-Fashion Modeling in Denver, New York City, and Milan was my life until college. In 1996 I graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design (FIDER accredited).

My design focus was geared towards Barrier Free Zoo Design. Keeping the people behind the glass, giving the majestic creatures freedom, in an exciting and enriching environment. I won the Best of Show & Best Senior Project at the 1996 Colorado State University Design Expo. My task was to design, and present an all-inclusive inception for the Western Lowland Gorilla Dayroom Project with Denver Zoological Garden. I proudly received an A, and an excellent review from the Denver Zoo. I had the privilege to discuss my design goals and objectives with world-renowned anthropologist, conservationist, and author Dr. Biruté Galdikas.

Post CSU, I worked as a sub-contract MAC Designer (not Apple) for Hewlett Packard, on and off from 1996-2012. My commitments as a new mom took priority over my career, it was the best part of my life, and being a mother is what I am most proud of. I am blessed with exceptional children who excelled in their education, sports, and now, with established careers of their own. After my career with HP, I followed my passion for rescuing equine from a kill-pen in Louisiana. I pulled horses & donkeys from the Bastrop kill-pen, and arranged transport to Colorado for rehabilitation, and their forever homes.

Next to my incredibly supportive, and beloved husband, René, my precious children, Blake and Audrey, and my loving, amazing parents, Edward and Carole; Mirabella and Cheval, were my first rescue horses, my greatest gifts, and my greatest loss. “Passion with purpose never comes without the possibility of huge risk, and loss.” Living life with purpose in the spirit of gratitude, regardless of the painful pitfalls is pivotal to who I have become, and how I choose to move forward.

By happenstance, I found my flair for writing at a state swim meet in Denver. My protagonist, Garr walked into the pool, and sat next to me. The spark for his character, and my novel was born. Immediately, I diagrammed my vision for SIGNPOSTS on my iPad. I am grateful for, and encouraged by feedback on my Facebook and LinkedIn. I welcome further  critiques, and comments via “Contact Me” above.