Five words/phrases that describe me: Dependable, trustworthy, self motivated, optimistic and kind
Hometown: Ravenna, Michigan
Other places I’ve lived: East Lansing
I graduated from: Michigan State University
I’ve been doing what I do for: 32 years
Most interesting assignment: for 24 hours I was a Lansing Firefighter on an all female crew!
I have a knack for: getting people to open up and talk to me
I’m passionate about: helping children who are abused and neglected
Favorite place in mid-Michigan: Beaumont Tower, MSU gardens
What I love most about mid-Michigan: the hometown feel of it’s people and places
Fun fact: I love to play golf
Anything else you want viewers to know: I also love dark chocolate and am obsessed with good coffee.
AWARDS for my WORK & VOLUNTEERISM (PAST 30 YRS):
2021 LEADERSHIP IN INDIVIDUAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD – OLIVET COLLEGE
2020 BEST NEWS PERSONALITY – TOP OF THE TOWN AWARD
2019 RESILIENCE HERO AWARD – CHILD AND FAMILY CHARITIES CAPITAL REGION
2019 COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARD – LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT ( 1st recipient)
2018 HALL OF FAME – MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS – 3RD FEMALE ANCHOR
2017 and 2018 BEST TV NEWS PERSONALITY – TOP OF THE TOWN AWARD
2017 BEST ENTERPRISE REPORTING 2ND PLACE – MI ASSOCIATED PRESS
2017 WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ZONTA CLUB OF LANSING
2016 EMMY NOMINATIONS (2) – WRITER NEWS & POLITICAL SPECIAL HOST
2016 BEST ENTERPRISE REPORTING -1st PLACE – MI ASSOCIATED PRESS
2016 EDWARD R. MURROW REGIONAL AWARD – BEST NEWS SERIES
2016 MICHIGAN CAPITOL AREA ZONTA ROSE AWARD
2015 MEDIA GENERAL – D. TENNANT BRYAN OUTSTANDING JOURNALISM AWARD
2014 SILVER CIRCLE AWARD – NATIONAL ACADEMY TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
2014-15 CAPITAL AREA UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIR
2014-15 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD – GLEANER LIFE INSURANCE SOCIETY
2014 LIFETIME OF COMPASSION AWARD – CHILD AND FAMILY CHARITIES
2013 EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN AWARD – MICHIGAN WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME
(Citation from MI Governor Rick Snyder)
2013 OUTSTANDING SUPPORTER OF CHILD & FAMILY CHARITIES & ANGEL HOUSE
2012 DELTA TOWNSHIP CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
2012 DANCING WITH THE LOCAL STARS – 1ST PLACE – CARE FREE MEDICAL CLINIC
2012 ADVOCACY & COMMITMENT AWARD for CHILDREN, YOUTH and FAMILIES –
EXCHANGE CLUB OF GREATER LANSING
2011-12 WOMAN OF THE YEAR – NATIONAL ASSOC. OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
2012 MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS – SPECIAL INTEREST AWARDS – 6 IN THE CITY
2011 CURE CRUSADER AWARD – JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION
2010 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN HONOREE – BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA (Proclamation from US Congressman Mike Rogers)
2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1995 – MICHIGAN ASSOC. OF BROADCASTERS AWARDS – BEST IN CATEGORY
2009 MEDIA AWARD TOMORROW’S CHILD – MICHIGAN SIDS FOUNDATION
2007-2011 MEDIA AWARD JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION
2007 OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER – SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE FOUNDATION
2006 ATHENA AWARD WINNER – LANSING REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
2006 FRIEND TO YOUTH AWARD – LANSING BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
2005 JACK BRESLIN WALK OF LIFE AWARD – INGHAM REGIONAL MEDICAL
2004 SOUTH LANSING COMMUNITY SERVICE PERSON OF THE YEAR (Proclamations from Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Lansing Mayor Tony Benevides and Lansing City Council)
2007, 2003, 2000, 1993, 1992 – MICHIGAN ASSOCIATED PRESS AWARD REPORTING
2003 EDGAR A. GUEST – MASONIC AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE
2002 STATE OF MICHIGAN – CRIME VICTIM’S RIGHTS OUTSTANDING ADVOCATE
2001 MEDIA AWARD – AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
1999 LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT MEDIA AWARD
1997 CERTIFICATE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT “CRIME FIGHTING MOM” for OUTSTANDING WORK in CRIME PREVENTION making her COMMUNITY SAFER (From US Senator Carl Levin – May 10, 1997)
1992-95 CRIME PREVENTION ASSOCIATION OF MICHIGAN TOP MEDIA AWARD – 4 CONSECUTIVE YRS.
1992 – MICHIGAN DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS DISTINGUISHED CORRECTIONAL PUBLICATION AWARD
1992 – CENTRAL MICHIGAN CRIME PREVENTION ASSOCIATION AWARD
25 YEAR VOLUNTEER – MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION