1. Briefly tell us about your role and responsibilities at CTAA.

I am a member of three teams- the Communications team, the Membership team and the Training team. Mainly I do Communications stuff, like writing social media posts and widespread invitations to conferences and website ideation, as well as Membership items like reconciling invoices and setting up webinars. For the Training team, I am also mainly communications and research at the moment- but I am sure that will shift soon!

2. What is your favorite part of your job? What is most challenging?

My favorite part of my job is definitely when I’m helping our members navigate membership snaggles, like updating member IDs and finding the correct person to help out with PASS training issues. Our constituents are so sweet!

The most challenging thing thus far has been wrangling the new website! Building the website has been an adventure, but I’m glad to learn the ins and outs of site building and working with our web dev team to produce a real home for CTAA online.

3. How do you commute to CTAA HQ ? 

Oh man, that’s also a bear! I live in Hagerstown, Maryland- up in the north west corner of the state, so close to West Virginia and Pennsylvania that I could walk there if I wanted to (but I can also take the bus- shoutout to Washington County Transportation!). I drive to Shady Grove metro station, where I take the Red Line train into Washington D.C. It takes quite a while. But it is super worth being able to be at CTAA.

4. What’s one thing you’re learning now or learned recently?

My best friend came to visit me last month, and she is celiac- so, we made gnocchi, which is gluten free. Turns out it is ridiculously easy to make; literally, it’s straightup mashed potato dumplings. Who knew?! Not me, that’s for sure.

5. What two nonessential items would you want if you were shipwrecked on a deserted island?

Not sure how one might classify a garlic press as non-essential, but I am a MAJOR allium fan, so that’s #1. The second thing would probably be M&Ms Minis. Something about that satisfying tube pop, plus the mini M&Ms just sliding down into your mouth- gets me every time.