Member Profile

Hello Sangha! Let me tell you a little about myself. I am a mother of two delightfully creative and inquisitive children, Alexander and Nora. They are my most important reminders for the importance to engage with myself and others with love, meaning, and purpose. I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago as the youngest of three siblings and our beloved golden retrievers. We were raised by our parents who instilled the importance of living in accordance with our values and contributing to create a just society. I watched my parents transition from experiencing the stress of working long hours to run their business toward fully committing themselves to the work of environmental justice. Their commitment is inspirational as they tirelessly educate and advocate for justice among communities, business and local government. As a child, I was determined to become a cheerleader when I grew up. In a way, I suppose it’s no surprise that I found myself studying Social Work and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I work in the field of non-profit mental health and manage several programs that serve marginalized individuals who struggle to navigate the inequitable access of healthcare and other community resources. I am honored by each and every person who has graciously shared their personal struggles and invited me into their process for recovery. My first encounter with ZLMC was when I took the Foundations of Mindfulness class in 2021. At that time, I wished to resume integrating mindfulness into my daily life and believed that this class would help me do just that. I quickly learned that there was far more to living mindfully than I originally understood. ZLMC compassionately challenged me to look deeper within myself and expand my view of the self and other. Since joining ZLMC, my spiritual life continues to evolve. I embrace opportunities to look deeper within and to remain open hearted in my connection with others. I am grateful for the love, care and compassion this Sangha has offered from the very moment I arrived.