Number of employees you oversee: No employees.

Number of volunteers you oversee: 200-plus.

Brief background about your nonprofit and what it does: 

We have been meeting the needs of the hungry since 1975.

How did you land your current role? How long have you been in it? 

I applied, interviewed and was accepted. I have been here over six years.

Tell us about the biggest challenges facing the Tri-Cities Food Bank. 

The need for additional storage and the challenge of the growing homeless population.

What is one misconception people have about food banks that you wish more leaders understood? 

The additional demands of insufficient infrastructure to be able to distribute the amount of food that we supply.

If someone wants to volunteer, how do they go about it? 

They can apply at one of our sites or online on our website: tcfoodbank.com.

How much food do you distribute on a weekly basis? 

Over 20 tons of food a week.

Did the recent government shutdown affect demand for food? 

Yes, we definitely had more new clients.

How has food insecurity changed in our region over the past few years? 

It seems to be growing.

What are the biggest challenges your food bank faces today, and how are you working to address them? 

Our need for more new volunteers, and as our client numbers keep increasing, it requires ever increasing funding.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time? 

To be authentic and continue to grow in knowledge every day.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Honesty.

Who are your role models or mentors? 

My board of directors are my mentors as well as my two prayer partners.

How did you decide to pursue the career that you are working in today? 

Opportunity and the realization of where my career path has led me.

What do you consider your leadership style to be? 

Team-building.

How do you balance work and family life? 

Not very well.

What do you like to do when you are not at work? 

Read.

What’s your best time management strategy? 

Being careful with commitments made and keeping my to-do list reasonable.

Do you have a personal mantra, phrase or quote you like to use?

If at all possible, be kind.