I began my career in the District working at a halfway house off Dupont Circle supporting formerly incarcerated women who needed dignity and a path forward. That experience grounded me in the belief that public service is human, urgent, and personal.

I went on to help start and run one of the District’s first charter schools, serving families from every ward and seeing firsthand how great teachers and strong leadership can change a child’s future. Later, the people of Wards 5 and 6 elected me to the DC State Board of Education, where I served as Board President and helped expand quality PreK and strengthen graduation standards.

Later, I ran education policy for the DC Council, managing and overseeing DCPS budgets and helping shape key reforms. I drafted and helped pass legislation to ensure every student could take the SAT and apply to college or technical programs, expanded career and technical education funding, and strengthened enforcement against residency fraud to protect opportunities meant for DC students.