What is your day job?
I am the Conference Services Manager at Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City.
How long have you lived in the Grand Traverse area?
About 4 years total. I lived here from 2018-2021, and moved back to Traverse City in November 2024.
What is your favorite aspect of living/working in the Traverse City area?
The nature! I find it hard to live someplace too far from the water. I love driving through downtown and seeing the lake – it’s like a breath of fresh air. We have so many fantastic hiking areas as well. Plus, I actually love the snow.
What do you do for fun?
I read, hike, and cook! Traverse City has such great food scene, so I love trying new restaurants. My boyfriend and I like to take our dogs to K&A Hop Dog – anything with dogs is a win for me.
How do you get involved in the community?
I really love getting to know so many professionals in the community. I’m passionate about community programming – particularly creating affordable events for kids and families to enjoy – so I hope to get more involved with that. I’m gearing up to start a Girl Scout Troop next fall, too!
What is your favorite local business (restaurant, shop, service,etc.) and why?
Oh gosh, I have so many. The Good Bowl is my favorite restaurant – I could eat there every day. They support great causes and the food is incredible. I love Contigo – we get a lot of our pet supplies there, and they have great community events like Kitten Yoga (I mean, how do you beat KITTEN YOGA???). Finally, I love the Star Theatre. Sitting in that balcony feels like an extension of home.
What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
I don’t know if you’d call this weird, but I used to sing at nursing homes a lot. I used to do an hour-long set at a memory care facility downstate, and it was incredible because several of the individuals there had very little memory of their own lives, but could sing along to every single word of a Johnny Cash song. Music has that effect on you.
Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I’m a musician. I sing and play guitar, though I’ve stopped performing as much as I’d like to due to carpal tunnel. Performing is the best feeling in the world.
What is something you learned in the last week?
Have you checked out the library? TADL has SO MANY awesome resources and programs. You can check out tools, instruments, even a microscope! Honestly, every time I go into the library, I learn something. Next time I go, I’m going to get some seeds from the Seed Library!
How can other TCYP members support you (personally or professionally)?
Introduce yourself, please!
