I have been a lifelong animal lover and feel a special bond with cats. Because of my love of animals, I am a donor to many pet charities and animal welfare organizations. During my professional life, I have worked and run several nonprofit organizations. In 2018, I was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. In terms of education, I hold a PhD in organizational development, a master’s degree in history and museum studies, an MBA with a major in marketing, and a bachelor’s degree. I am certified in fundraising and association management.
Writing and speaking have always been a part of the “day jobs” I have held, whether that job has been in management where I served as the spokesperson for the organization; in a communications position where I produced press releases, newsletters, and magazines; or in a fundraising position where telling compelling stories was an important part of obtaining donations and grants. Throughout my career in nonprofits, I have edited and written several newsletters and magazines (including Off the Record staff newsletter, Snakeroot Extract newsletter (a newsletter devoted to the history of medicine), and Philanthropy Matters) for various organizations and most recently have written many blogs for the professional association to which I belong. I have always approached my writings with humor (when appropriate) and storytelling. I belong to Toastmasters International and have earned the Distinguished Toastmaster Award twice. Additionally, I have participated (and won) many Toastmaster speaking contests. My speeches always have involved personal stories.
I have decided to combine the skills I have used during my career (writing and speaking) with my talent for storytelling, my sense of humor, and my love of animals to write books that inspire and teach us all that pets are one of the most wonderful gifts given to us on this earth. My book, My One-Eyed, Three-Legged Therapist: How My Cat Clio Saved Me, was published in October, 2023, by Purdue University Press (in the Animal/Human Bond Series). In 2022, my article, “How a One-Eyed, Three Legged Cat Helped Me Overcome the Lifetime Scars of Bullying,” published in Generations Against Bullying, won the Muse Medallion Award from the Cat Writers’ Association for best short article on the feline-human bond. The article also was recognized with a Certificate of Excellence Award from CWA. I have also authored several blog posts for Lola the Rescued Cat blog (lolatherescuedcat.com), as well as several other cat and animal blogs.
Presently, my husband Jeff and I live in Indianapolis, IN and are owned by two cats: Jackson and Trixie and continue to keep the memories alive of Benny (who recently passed away) and of course, Clio and Dickens.
