I have a theory about what makes someone good at this work: it has less to do with knowing all the answers and more to do with making sure the person asking feels like their questions actually matter. That's the standard I bring to every call and every client interaction.
I spent time at E*Trade and in insurance before landing in this role, always looking for a place where the work felt like it meant something. In financial services, I found it. When people actually understand what they're looking at, they can make decisions that are right for their lives, and helping them get there is what keeps me going.
One moment I carry with me: early in my career, I helped a young couple with three small kids get their insurance squared away, including pushing to add life policies after looking more closely at their situation. Not long after, the husband was killed in an accident. When his widow filed her claims, she learned she could pay off their house and take the time she needed to grieve without immediate financial pressure bearing down on her. That's why this work matters to me.
Outside of work, I'm a reader and an explorer. Whether it's a new book, a new neighborhood, or a new person worth talking to, I'm always looking for something interesting. I'm a Missouri transplant who made my way here through Utah, Idaho, and Colorado, and while I love the green of Missouri, I'll always have a soft spot for the Rockies and a good huckleberry.