I’ve spent the past fifteen years working in career counseling and mental health, with much of my experience rooted in colleges and universities across New York and New Jersey. It was in these spaces that my passion for supporting women began to take shape, particularly around career development, identity, and gender-based challenges.

As a former coordinator of a campus Women’s Center and contributor to a Bystander Intervention program, I developed a deep understanding of how issues like abuse, assault, and discrimination can impact each person differently. I’ve led violence prevention initiatives, facilitated psychoeducational groups, and worked closely with individuals navigating the lasting effects of these experiences.

Not all challenges are overt, but that doesn’t make them any less impactful. Experiences of being overlooked, dismissed, or made to feel “less than” can shape how we see ourselves and what we believe we’re allowed to pursue. This is something I understand not only professionally, but personally. It’s what led me to continue my education, earn my doctorate, and focus my research on gender-based violence.

I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and have completed extensive training in domestic and sexual violence advocacy. Through this work, I’ve seen how often these experiences contribute to feelings of powerlessness and how meaningful it can be to begin reclaiming that sense of agency.