VISION
My vision for North Bend is to look toward the future by creating business opportunities while sustaining our current businesses, helping them to thrive and grow. We need to sustainably manage the City’s budget in a way that protects the interests of our citizens while ensuring that the basic needs of our community are met. We must ensure that businesses and our citizens are not just able to survive in North Bend, but are able to thrive!
FINANCES
I will continue to find ways to increase funding and build on the $13.5 million in grants the city has obtained over the last 3.5 years. I will also seek opportunities to reduce the city’s budget with minimal impact on our citizens. By exploring new revenue streams and improving efficiency, we can better serve our community. Additionally, I am committed to supporting our local businesses, which are the backbone of our community, while working to attract new investors.
COMMITMENT
I am committed to upholding the responsibilities of the Mayoral position while seeking greater citizen involvement in our local government process. My leadership focuses on looking forward and driving positive change, rather than dwelling on the past. I aim to work collaboratively with the community to create a city that supports family-wage jobs and a high quality of life. We all want our children to have the opportunity to stay here if they choose.
I will continue to serve on local and state boards to make meaningful progress both in our town and across Oregon. We should expect more from our elected officials—leaders who are actively involved in committees and community organizations they are passionate about, contributing positively to the city. We need leaders who are willing to engage and contribute, not those who sit on the sidelines and criticize. I am dedicated to being a part of the solution, not just pointing out the problems.
DIVERSITY
For years, our city council lacked diversity in age and gender, often representing just one dimension of our community. As the first elected female Mayor in 2020, I am committed to broadening that representation to ensure all citizens have a voice. I am dedicated to increasing opportunities for greater citizen involvement in our local government and will implement methods to ensure that everyone has the chance to be heard and contribute to the future of our city.
COMMUNITY
I am committed to understanding the needs and desires of our community, both now and for the future. With a deep passion for the City of North Bend, I will work diligently to ensure its success. I am dedicated to making decisions that are in the best interest of all our citizens.
CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS
The City currently has a distinct process for our citizens to be involved by attending work sessions and City Council meetings. The City now streams our council meetings on YouTube and allows remote public comment. We have redesigned the City's Website and made it more robust and user-friendly. Recognizing that citizens have multiple ways in which they prefer to communicate, I will continue to seek additional ways to promote this process to get citizens involved. I will continue to push out City updates on all social media platforms and The City's website, along with the City's regular email communications to business owners. I have a positive connection with community members, and I serve on a variety of boards that benefit the community.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Keeping our citizens safe is my top priority. Crime has decreased in North Bend, and employee morale within our public safety departments is higher than ever. We have learned how to do more with less, continuously finding creative ways to fund improvements, such as implementing License Plate Readers. Additionally, we have added two key positions: a Code Enforcement Officer and a Community Resource Officer, who work closely with our police force to enhance community safety and engagement.
EXPERIENCE
I have deep roots in and a strong love for our community. I grew up in North Bend and graduated from North Bend High School. Alongside my experience on the City Council and as Mayor, I am a tenured Business Professor at Southwestern Oregon Community College, where I teach various classes, including Business, Human Relations in Organizations, Entrepreneurship, Advertising, Marketing, and Leadership.
With a Master’s degree in Business, focusing on Human Resources, I bring a wealth of experience in policy and procedures. Before becoming a professor, I spent over 20 years in management, including serving as a Human Resources Manager for a major department store. I am actively involved in the community, serving on several community boards.
In June 2024, I was appointed by the Governor to the Regional Solutions Advisory Committee, an innovative Oregon approach to community and economic development that brings together the public, private, and civic sectors to advance projects, solve problems, seize opportunities, and address emerging local needs.
I chaired the Certified Development Company (CCD) in 2021 and was elected to the Board of Directors for The League of Oregon Cities in the same year. I currently serve as the Vice President and am the President-elect for 2025. I have served on a task force for the Oregon Mayors Association that is addressing homelessness in Oregon and work collaboratively with Coos Bay and Coos County on a coordinated Homeless Pilot Response Program. Additionally, I have organized numerous community events and am a member of the Coos Fights Cancer Committee.
LEADERSHIP ROLES
• Co-Chair, Bay Area Enterprises (2015-2023): Convened board meetings and appointed committee members. Reviewed and voted on the annual budget for the agency. Evaluated the performance of the Director to ensure alignment with the board’s direction and agency goals.
• President, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce (2017): Served as the visible leader, communicator, and community planner. Worked with staff and board members to develop, implement, and assess Chamber programs, projects, and events. Prepared materials for monthly board and executive committee meetings.
• Executive Board Member, CCD Coos and Curry County (Appointed by Coos and Curry County, 2015-present, Past Chair): CCD is a certified Development Company that promotes economic development, diversifies local economies, supports industry, and enhances the quality of life in the region. As a board member, I act as a liaison between local business communities and CCD, facilitating access to services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, CCD provided direct financial support to many businesses that did not receive federal funds.
• Community Representative, Oregon Adventure Coast Budget Committee (2020): Contributed to budget planning and allocation decisions as a representative of the community.
I was elected as a North Bend City Councilor before being elected as Mayor in 2020 and was re-elected in 2022. I am deeply involved in North Bend’s budgeting, planning, regulatory framework, and community needs. With years of experience managing budgets over a million dollars and developing policy and procedure, I am committed to the growth and well-being of our city.