Community Engagement

"If you're just operating by habit, then you're not really living…Every action of ours should be a prayer—a sacrament in the world." - My Dinner with Andre (1981)

"This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live."

-George Bernard Shaw

We as human beings are meant to be communal and supportive of one another. No one is meant to do it alone. That is why I believe that anyone who has the ability to give of themselves beyond their profession and own personal life commitments should pinpoint where they can be most effective in their community and serve it humbly and freely.

I currently serve on the board for a regional symphony to promote the importance of the arts across northeast Tennessee, southwest Virginia and western North Carolina.

I previously served on the board and served as the secretary for the local Tri-Cities chapter for PRSA (Public Relations Society of America)—where I helped plan and promote events, create monthly newsletters and more. I also served as vice chair for the communications committee for United Way of Greater Kingsport and on the communications committee for The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alliance of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia (the DEI Alliance)—a regional alliance that advocates for diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the region (northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia).