Roles: Technology Project Manager, Associate Dir. of IT, Full Stack Developer
Tell me a little about where you grew up?
My family—my mom, my sister, and I—moved into a two bedroom apartment in Brady Village in Agawam, MA when I was in second grade. My mom was able to afford the rent because it was based on her income. There were several other families in the neighborhood, a park across the street, and several small businesses nearby, so there was always something to do and we felt like part of a community. We lived in that apartment until I went to college.
How did that experience shape you as a person?
I was a first generation college student and followed a service-oriented career path. I am currently a technical project manager and a licensed massage therapist. My experience growing up in that environment had a major impact on the educational choices I made and the way I tend to approach relationships and communicate with others—with an open mind.
Why is that housing important now?
Wealth inequality has been, and continues to be, a major issue in our society. Housing is a basic human right, and it is imperative that affordable housing options are available and easy to find so that everyone, including families like my own, will have the stability and community support that allows them to flourish.
“ ... growing up in that environment had a major impact on the educational choices I made and the way I tend to approach relationships and communicate with others — with an open mind.”
