Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now. 
I’m originally from Central California (insert CA transplant joke here) and attended San Diego State University before moving to Disney World for two years after graduation. I ended up in Colorado after following a boy here that I met while working at Disney. Don’t worry, it has a happy ending, we are now engaged and living happily ever after. I started working at the Gardens on Spring Creek when I first moved to Fort Collins, and surprisingly never left. I now coordinate our volunteer program of over 400 volunteers contributing just under 10,000 hours. I love my role and how fulfilling it is.   

What are you passionate about professionally and personally, and why? 
I’m so lucky that my personal and professional passions are so aligned. I am passionate about the environment and connecting people to nature, which I get to do daily with both visitors and volunteers in my role. A high school environmental science class is what sparked this passion, which then led me to my major of Sustainability.   

What is your superpower? 
Finding and booking cheap airfare. I love traveling and I’m always on the hunt for an inexpensive plane ticket. My best deal was a $40 round trip flight from Orlando, Florida to San Diego, Calif.   

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally? 
Getting promoted to my current role as Volunteer Coordinator. I started at The Gardens as a seasonal summer camp instructor and worked my way up over the past four years to this role. I’m so thankful to everyone at The Gardens for believing in me, growing with me and giving me this opportunity.   

Who has been the biggest influence in your life? 
My grandmother. She grew up with nothing after her parents moved to the United States from Armenia after escaping the Armenian Genocide. She instilled in me that hard work and perseverance will take you far. She’s also my biggest cheerleader. I think my entire hometown now knows I won this award. Did I mention she is 91 years young and has an Instagram? Goals.   

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
This question is always so tough for me because I am not a planner! I hope to have grown professionally, started a family and have visited all six Disney theme parks around the globe.   

What piece(s) of advice would you give to your
18-year-old self? 
It’s okay to grow out of people, of places and of things. Your path might change, and that’s exciting. Enjoy the adventure!  

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime? 
Visiting Disney theme parks! I met my fiancé working for the mouse, so Disney holds a special place in our lives. I’ve always been obsessed with Disney, but you can now refer to me as a Disney Adult, because someone created a name for it. Closer to home, I enjoy gardening and drinking craft beer.   

What would you like to give back to your community?
I love that I work for a garden that is so dedicated to serving our Northern Colorado community and get to work with a team of dedicated volunteers who are doing just that. I love having the opportunity to switch roles and be the volunteer myself. There are so many wonderful organizations doing some pretty spectacular things. It’s great to be able to learn about and support all the great work others are doing. Northern Colorado is a special community, and I am so grateful to have landed here.