What is your role at ILLUME?
My official title is Executive Coordinator, but I pretty much do anything that anyone throws my way. I’m part of the business development team and help with event planning, social media, and website management. I’m also part of the admin team and help to manage calendars, schedule meetings, assist with administrative and office needs, and I’ve even helped with project work from time-to-time. I just really like to be helpful to folks and I love to organize.
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I am originally from El Paso, Texas but have moved back and forth from El Paso to Arizona like six times. I’ve lived in Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale, but now I live in Tucson. I’ve been here for almost four years and I really enjoy it.
Who or what inspires you in your work?
I am inspired every day by the brilliant minds that I work with at ILLUME. This work is different than anything that I’ve ever done, and I love it. I learn something new every single day and am seriously in awe of the folks I work with.
Do you have any pets?
I have two cats. Joey is 10 and Izzy is 9. They each have a very unique personality. I also have a roommate who has two dogs, so our house is kind of a zoo. She’s has a black lab named Kiki and a Boston Terrier named KC. Surprisingly enough, they all get along most days.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I recently retired from playing roller derby and I have done that for the last nine years. I needed something new to replace it that would challenge me and keep me active, so I started doing CrossFit about a year ago. Lifting heavy things is super fun! Deadlifts are my favorite, but snatches are a close second.
What’s your favorite quote or motto?
I always try to live by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I generally just try to be nice to everyone. It’s a work in progress.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I managed a video store for eight years a while back and was there until the entire company went out of business. That experience was not fun at all.
What is the best concert you ever attended?
I had the amazing opportunity to see Jimmy Page and Robert Plant in 1996 with my dad. We got the cheap seats in the nosebleed section, but when we found our seats, there was some lighting equipment in its place. We were relocated to the third row for the inconvenience! It was so awesome!!! I have been a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan since junior high and my dad isn’t with us anymore so it’s a memory that I will cherish forever.
What is your superpower?
Organization!!!
If you could have chosen another career path, what would you be doing?
I would love to have gotten into physical therapy. I broke my ankle a few years back and my therapist was amazing and helped me so much during a really hard time in my life. I would love to be able to help people like that.
