I have studied peace and conflict resolution, worked for the Islamic Center for Peace, and lived in South Africa to learn about the truth and reconciliation commission. In law school I focused on environmental and Federal Indian law,  and  clerked for Justice Brian Boatright (CO Supreme Court) when he was a district court judge. Ultimately I was disenchanted with the way the American legal system often creates more problems than it solves and moved to Minneapolis for a PhD in comparative literature and cultural studies from the UMN where I examined the relationship between the atomic bombing of Hiroshima alongside the internment of Japanese Americans, and taught students how to think critically about white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism. Since becoming a mother I have dedicated myself to supporting my local community and gained a wide variety of experiences crucial for understanding the complex dynamics of city leadership: I opened a bookstore in Cincinnati and founded a neighborhood business association; led a volunteer support group for Planned Parenthood and was named volunteer of the year for the SW Ohio region. I also helped launch the transformation of an unused railway in Cincinnati into a nearly completed mixed use trail (wassonway.org). After moving back to Minneapolis in 2016, I pursued trainings in restorative justice, a concept I became familiar with in law school during studies of indigenous systems of conflict resolution. I have also served as a board member for the Lowry Hill East Neighborhood (LHENA) for almost 4 years with the last 18 months as board president.