How long have you been an FCCMA member, and why did you join? Are you an ICMA member? Why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I have been an FCCMA member since January 2026, and I am also an ICMA member, having joined around the same time. I pursued both memberships to deepen my understanding of local government, particularly in the areas of service delivery and operational management. These professional affiliations align closely with my role as a Strategic Innovation Consultant with the City of Tallahassee, providing valuable exposure to best practices, peer learning, and the exchange of ideas that strengthen effective local governance.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I hold a Master of Social Work, which provided advanced training in community organizing, program development, policy analysis, and administration to address systemic challenges. I also earned a Master of Public Administration, which strengthened my capacity to lead public-serving organizations.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I was drawn to public service as a means to support stronger service delivery and improved quality of life because local government shapes residents’ everyday experiences in very real ways. I selected this career path to gain a deeper understanding of local government while contributing to efforts that enhance community well-being and help create better outcomes for the people we serve.
Have you always been in the public sector, or have you had experience in the private sector?
My professional experience has been rooted in public service. Prior to my current role, I served as a Hope Navigator with the Florida Department of Children and Families, where I supported young adults aging out of foster care by connecting them to independent living and transition services. I also interned as a translational researcher with the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, leading the development of an administrative program that created a standardized approach for incorporating the lived experiences of individuals with prior dependency system involvement into the Institute’s research, programming, and advocacy efforts.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
In my current role as a Strategic Innovation Consultant, I provide strategic and operational support to executive leadership to advance organizational priorities. I also lead business process improvement efforts by evaluating, streamlining, and enhancing organizational processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery. In addition, I oversee the planning, revision, and coordination of agenda items for commission meetings, ensuring that key initiatives and decisions are advanced in a timely and well-organized manner for governing body consideration. Finally, I conduct policy research, analysis, and evaluation to inform leadership decisions and strategic direction. This work includes monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, supporting engagement with legislative stakeholders, preparing policy and legislative briefings, and assessing the potential impact of proposed laws and policies on organizational goals.
Please describe your typical day.
Given the diverse nature of my role, no two days are exactly the same, as priorities shift based on organizational needs and timing. The most consistent element of my work is managing the agenda launch process, which involves coordinating, reviewing, and finalizing commission meeting agenda items approximately one week prior to each meeting to ensure materials are accurate, complete, and ready for consideration.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is connecting the behind-the-scenes work I do to the tangible public services delivered to the community. It is especially rewarding to see how strategic planning, process improvements, and policy analysis translate into real-world outcomes that positively impact residents’ daily lives.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
One of my most memorable experiences on the job was working with my team to draft the agenda item and presentation for the 2026 Commission’s Annual Retreat. The presentation highlighted the City’s progress on its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, demonstrating how citywide operations contribute to our key priority areas: Economic Development, Poverty Impact, Organizational Effectiveness, Public Infrastructure, Public Safety, Public Trust, and Quality of Life. It was incredibly rewarding to showcase the City’s active efforts and commitment to being a leading provider of public service.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
My advice for anyone interested in a career in public service is to just give it a try. Public service is such a vast field that there’s almost certainly a role that aligns with your skills, interests, and values. Gaining exposure to different areas of the work is one of the best ways to discover where you can make the greatest impact and find fulfillment in serving your community.
I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to engaging with FCCMA to learn, grow, and connect with other public service professionals.
