Born in Troy, Ohio; B.A. in English literature from Miami University; M.Ed. in higher education from the University of Georgia; more than 30-years’ service in higher education, providing leadership to students, faculty, and staff; held formal leadership positions as a women’s center director, faculty-in-residence program director, program manager for NEW Leadership (a national women’s leadership institute), and instructor of gender studies; owner of SAGA Strategic Solutions, specializing in communication, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and team collaboration; advisory board member, National Institute of Civil Discourse; past co-chair of national group of legislators committed to leading with civility; 2022 recipient of Joyce Stein award for positively impacting the growth and advancement of women; completed a 4,200 mile self-supported, cross country bicycle trip; Ironman finisher.