What is one thing you love about working at Bovitz/ION/Communify?

The work is never boring! What are you interested in? I’m sure we have researched it! As someone who has the desire to pump a never-ending stream of knowledge into their brain, working here has given me the opportunity to expand my research horizons every single day. I’m constantly learning something new about an aspect of life of which I was previously unaware.

Tell me about a life-changing experience you’ve had.

Getting an education was a life-changing season for me. I was a first-generation college student from a family where higher education wasn’t necessarily a priority. Throughout my undergraduate career, I had a complete change in my worldview as I learned more about, well, the world. I was introduced to people, places, and concepts that challenged my understanding about my very existence—who I was, where I came from, how I fit into this world we all inhabit. These challenges helped me realize that I am constantly craving knowledge and a deeper understanding of life around me. It is what motivates me every day.

What's something that people are surprised to learn about you?

I am a not-born and bred Southern woman. As a young girl, I was a transplant from the Arizona desert to the deep South, where roots take hold easily and fried foods keep you nourished. My family has always been pretty nomadic, jumping from house to house or town to town. But no matter where we landed, I always found comfort in listening to the cicadas on a warm, humid summer evening, indulging in comfort foods like chicken and dumplings with cornbread, and reading a book on my patio while songbirds whistle their tunes in the background. Dolly Parton reigns supreme in these parts, and rightfully so!

What inspires you?

The future and the endless possibilities of what can happen before our eyes. I’m inspired by the way we as humans play a direct role in what’s going to happen in the next hour, month, or year. I think it’s something we don’t really think about consciously, but as someone with a million and one questions, I’m inspired by the notion that what we do today can have a positive impact on a family member, a friend, or even a stranger in the future. In reflecting on the past, we have the unique ability to confront a behavior or idea, dissect it, and navigate the implications for the future. Research gives me the ability to work towards a more meaningful and equitable future.