At 51, I've spent my life understanding complex behaviors—whether working with multiple animal species, raising children with special needs, or helping families navigate their most challenging moments.

My Journey

Growing in Hawaiʻi and Southern California, I moved to San Francisco in 1992 and eventually settled in Pacifica with my husband, two kids, and three dogs. My 15-year career as a zookeeper specialized in primate behavior, including successfully training apes to willingly cooperate to receive medical care and the intensive and multi-step process of reintegrating a hand-raised infant gorilla back into his family group.

When my own child was diagnosed with multiple complex conditions (ID, ASD, ADHD, Global Developmental Delay), I discovered that the same observational skills and behavioral insights that worked with non-verbal, complex beings translated perfectly to human family dynamics. Four years as my child's dedicated IHSS caregiver taught me the daily realities families face, while the difficult transition to residential care showed me how crucial good support is during major life changes. Along the way, I've learned to navigate our local social services and educational systems, which helps me guide families toward appropriate resources and support.

What Drives Me

I genuinely love working one-on-one with people, collaborating to make situations better for both animals and humans. My background as a Teamster shop steward, representing colleagues in contract negotiations, taught me how to advocate fiercely while finding solutions everyone can live with. I excel in crisis situations and have a track record of helping families navigate their most challenging moments.

Today, I combine all these experiences as a community leader for 46+ special education families, monthly social group coordinator, and in home support for autism families.