Most of my choices come down to curiosity about people and places, combined with a love for the natural world. This approach has resulted in a path which is not exactly linear, but which has been full of continuous learning and inspiration.

For the last five years, I've followed that curiosity through house and pet sitting, which has taken me across 14 countries and let me meet people from all walks of life (and their pets!). I prefer longer stays that let me settle into the local culture and see what everyday life looks like, rather than chasing the big attractions. This approach has taken me to some unexpected places, always with a solid internet connection and a quiet place to work. It's been an adventure, and now I'm ready to settle somewhere I can bring everything I've collected over the years into a space of my own.

When I'm not working, I enjoy being outside hiking, camping, or kayaking (including a couple of camping trips in Scotland and Costa Rica!). My love for the natural world is what led me to my first career in environmental design.

My favorite work now is on civic and climate projects (like StreetSmart). Seeing how different cities are organized, how different cultures value and support their communities, and getting to explore different biomes all feed my drive to do work that improves those systems. It keeps me inspired, motivated, and grateful for this beautiful world we live in.

Alongside my UX and product work, I run Sand Ruby Studio, where I create murals and illustrations. I’ve painted murals in public spaces and private home across Arizona and Missouri.