I spent more than two decades in the fire service, from my first EMT shifts in 2000 to serving as a lieutenant, paramedic, and mentor to firefighters across the country. Along the way, I became the first paid, full-time female firefighter in the City of Fountain, Colorado, and later advanced through the ranks at the Colorado Springs Fire Department before retiring and dedicating my efforts to advancing the Women in Fire Organization.​ What kept me in the job wasn’t the sirens or the headlines; it was the team. I grew up on a soccer field, and when I found the fire service, it felt like coming home to a new kind of team where my size, strength, and drive finally made sense. That sense of belonging is what I work to create for others, especially women who have never seen themselves in the “classic” firefighter image.​

As President of Women in Fire, my focus is simple: support and empower firefighters so they can succeed and stay. I lead HandsOn Training at conferences, including Women in Fire’s Conference, help shape our mission-driven programs in training, advocacy, and networking, and work with partners like FEMA/USFA, Science to the Station, and national fire organizations to push for a fire service where everyone has the tools, mentorship, and visibility they need to grow.​

I care deeply about the practical side of inclusion: gear that fits, stations with facilities for everyone, policies that support caregivers, and cultures that treat people with basic dignity and respect. Those “details” change who can show up, who can stay, and who can lead. Today, only a small percentage of U.S. firefighters are women, and that gap shows up in everything from PPE design to restrooms to promotion processes. Changing that isn’t just about numbers; it’s about building stronger, safer, more resilient organizations.​

Much of my work now lives at the intersection of leadership development, mentorship, and culture change. I mentor firefighters from multiple states, sit on recruitment and inclusivity panels, and speak at conferences about creating psychologically healthy, high-performing departments. Whether it’s a national summit, a youth fire academy, or a small group HOT class, my message is the same: you can’t be what you can’t see - but once you see it, you absolutely can be it!

If you’re working to build a fire service where everyone can contribute their unique skills and perspectives, I’d love to connect.