Where do you live and what did you do before joining BCB?

Northbrook, IL (but I still missing living in the city!!)

Before BCB (6 years ago) I was doing fundraising events for the local children’s hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

What is your position/job at BCB?

Oh man, officially I am the Director of Events, but when it gets down to it, I do a bit of everything from account management to operations, to events, to partner relations, the list goes on. Small team means we all get to try everything.

What do you love most about working at BCB?

Now that I have a baby, I see just how vital the information we share truly is! I love being able to provide resources to this community and knowing how impactful it is. The kind words people share after webinars or Facebook Lives, events, etc is what keeps me going!

Favorite binge watch?

Bravo. I’ll watch almost anything on Bravo. Any day. Any time.

One thing you always have in your fridge?

Diet Coke.

Favorite family activity?

It’s as simple as taking a walk outside. I love that time with no phones/distractions and the power of fresh air is unbeatable. And now with my baby in the stroller and just watching her take in the joys of nature. Like wow, a tree, the coolest thing ever.

When you were pregnant, what food/which foods did you crave the most?

For the first 18 weeks of my pregnancy all I could stomach was a plain bagel. On a good day I could handle some goldfish. It was a real joy 😉 Once nausea passed all I wanted were sweet treats. All of them. And I think I ate all of the Red Vines ever manufactured.

Tell us a little bit about your pregnancy journey or becoming a mom yourself.

I went from not wanting to even look at my baby when she was born (delivery and the first hour or so after was brutal, I was a stranger to myself) to some baby blues to full on obsession with my kid. It was wild to see how my mental state shifted so dramatically and continues to do so nearly 7 months later. Welcoming Nellie into our lives was the best thing ever to happen to me of course but I am not shy to say (it’s important for people to know!) that it took a really long time to enjoy her, like her, and have true feelings for her other than the obvious “I need to keep her alive.” Now, I can’t stand being away from her. I could stare at her all day. Her giggle makes my heart melt. I miss her being teeny tiny but at the same time it’s incredible to watch her develop. Like one day she’s just a blob laying on her back staring at the same black and white pictures and then next she’s grabbing every single thing in site, sprouting teeth (ouch those are sharp) and reaching for me. I can’t take it.