FOUNDER/GRANT & FINANCE info@thechangehouse.org

Raised in Idaho, I witnessed the impact of substance use disorder firsthand through family and my own addiction. Before becoming a parent, I found my own path to recovery in 2018. At the time, I was vulnerable and resistant to services, believing my experiences were normal. Through access to compassionate care and a strong support system, I was able to build a stable, healthy life rooted in recovery.

Since 2020, I have worked in the recovery field and gained a deeper understanding of the barriers many individuals face, especially parents, when seeking treatment. As a mother and a professional, I have seen how the lack of family-centered programs perpetuates generational addiction and trauma. Idaho needs a model that prioritizes connection over separation, allowing mothers and children to heal together. Change House was envisioned to be that sanctuary, a place where families can remain intact while beginning lasting recovery. My goal is to bring this vision to life.

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH outreach@thechangehouse.org

I joined Change House because I want to help build a recovery center for women in Valley County—one that allows mothers to bring their children and removes the barriers that often prevent them from seeking care. As a mother myself, I understand how central your child is to your life, and it means so much that Change House is committed to supporting women without forcing them to choose between recovery and being present for their children.

I hope to contribute to securing the funding needed to make this center a reality and to support the long-term recovery, stability, and strength of families in our community.

CHAIR

Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to show up for my community and the people in it. As a kid, I often accompanied my mom to work where she was a juvenile probation officer, where I saw firsthand how quickly families can be pulled into cycles of addiction, poverty, and involvement with the criminal justice system. I witnessed revolutionary changes take place in juvenile justice that broadened my perspective on community care and the importance of dignity-centered solutions.

Through Change House, I’m passionate about helping people step out of the spiral of addiction and into stability, healing, and hope. I’m especially committed to keeping families united whenever possible, because connection and belonging are powerful parts of recovery. My goal is to help build a program that meets people where they are and gives parents and children the chance to move forward together, even through hard seasons.

VICE CHAIR

I grew up in McCall and have seen how addiction sits at the root of incarceration, housing instability, job insecurity, and untreated mental illness. These struggles impact children through trauma, disrupted schooling, and insecurity around food and housing. Without intervention, early wounds follow them into adulthood, continuing the cycle. Both adults and children need tools to heal from these environments.

I am involved with The Change House because I believe that when addiction is met with compassion, accountability, and practical tools, we don’t just help individuals recover, we help prevent harm before it takes hold. My commitment is grounded in my faith and belief that every person has God given worth. Restoration, rather than condemnation, creates lasting change for individuals, families, and communities.

TREASURER

I bring a nontraditional path and a lifelong commitment to service to everything I do. I earned my undergraduate degree in economics from UC Berkeley, a master’s degree in business from California State University, and—beginning law school at age 58—a Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho. Before becoming an attorney, I spent more than 20 years running my own tax practice and worked as a revenue agent for the IRS and a tax accountant at Ernst & Young. After a second retirement, I worked at the Old Faithful bookstore in Yellowstone, reinforcing my belief that meaningful work takes many forms. I am now a public defender, witnessing how poverty and addiction intersect with the justice system.

I am drawn to Change House’s mission because substance use disorder is an illness, families deserve support, and recovery with compassion can break generational cycles.

SECRETARY

I am proud to be part of Change House, a mothers and children’s treatment home, both as a supporter and someone with lived experience. As a child, I directly benefited from a similar program when my mom entered rehab and I was able to live with her during her recovery. That experience was life-changing, my mom is now sober, and my life is better because our family was given the chance to heal together. Being involved with Change House allows me to give back to a model that truly works and to support other families on their path to recovery.

MEMBER AT LARGE

I am Cultural Awareness Training (CAT) certified and an active participant in my own recovery and the recovery of others. I am committed to serving the community of McCall, Idaho, and beyond, with a strong dedication to health, connection, and community well-being. I express this commitment through creative approaches and proactive, outgoing engagement. My community—spanning state and international borders—is deeply important to me and comes second only to my family.

MEMBER AT LARGE

I am a lifelong Idahoan, born in Nampa, raised in New Plymouth and Mountain Home, and a resident of Boise for the past 45 years. I also live and work in Donnelly, Idaho, and have always enjoyed exploring Idaho's mountains.

My husband David and I own and manage hotels and restaurants in Boise and Mountain Home. Many of our co-workers are refugees and immigrants who have added so much to our lives. We also have a large extended family living in Idaho. Through both personal and professional experience, I have seen how addiction impacts individuals and their families, including people close to me who have struggled with recovery.

As a mother and grandmother, I firmly believe that supporting mothers as they heal alongside their children creates stronger families and healthier communities, for generations to come. I am also passionate about supporting local organizations focused on animal rescue, the arts, and native plant restoration along the Boise River. I look forward to contributing to work that helps families find hope and lasting recovery.