1. What first drew you to working in education and nonprofit spaces?
Even as a child, whenever I saw someone without access to food, clean water, a safe place to live, or a quality education, it felt like my heart was on fire. I couldn’t accept how monumentally unfair it was that some people have to go without basic needs, let alone have the opportunity to chase after their dreams.
I studied psychology at the University of Notre Dame and became especially interested in how crucial the early years are for shaping a person’s life. That knowledge fueled my desire to work with children and help set them up for success. It was an incredible honor to watch my students learn to read, share their dreams out loud, and grow into curious, courageous little humans. They were my rockstars.
I later transitioned into the nonprofit space to focus on strategy and management, where I felt I could make a broader impact. I partnered with incredible organizations on efforts to increase access to clean water, improve school systems, and redistribute excess nutritious food to those in need. Still at the heart of everything I do — whether in the classroom, the conference room, or the entertainment space — my mission remains the same: to create opportunities and spark belief in people.
2. How did your background in service influence your shift into entertainment?
My background in service defined the kind of person I want to show up as in the entertainment industry. It keeps me grounded and aligned to a greater purpose. We live in a world that celebrates image and status. It’s easy to get caught up in the spotlight and lose yourself. Luckily, I carry with me the memory of my 7th-grade students in South Africa pitching bold ideas to better their township, or the joy on villagers’ faces as clean water flowed from their well for the first time. Those moments keep me connected to what truly matters.
I believe that with visibility comes responsibility. The more attention and opportunity I’m given, the more committed I am to using it for good. I think our world desperately needs positive role models, and I’m happy to take on that role. Yes, I’m passionate about acting and want to devote my life to it, but living a visible life that’s only about me would feel like a missed opportunity. Whether it’s through the films I help create or the way I show up in the world, my hope is to remind people of their own strength, value, and possibility.
3. What does confidence mean to you, and how do you build it daily?
To me, confidence isn’t about being fearless or always knowing you’re capable — it’s about choosing to act even when you’re not sure. Confidence is built through action. It comes from practice, preparation, and most importantly, from keeping promises to yourself. Have I stepped onto runways or into audition rooms while shaking? Absolutely. Have I stood in front of classrooms or C-suite executives questioning whether I belonged? Many times. However, I’ve never let my fear stop me. Every time I do something I wasn’t sure I could, I prove to myself that I am more capable than I thought. That’s how confidence grows, not from perfection or certainty, but from showing up anyway.
4. How has solo travel shaped your mindset and creativity?
I grew up in Ohio, relatively sheltered from the rest of the world. I had a beautiful, supportive childhood, but most days looked the same, and my life’s path was clear: go to school, get married, have kids. I didn’t know what else the world had to offer. For the sake of someone’s amusement (and my own embarrassment), I’ll admit that at 20 years old, I thought all Asian food was Chinese food.
Fast forward a few years, and at 26, I found myself in a cave on a hillside farm in Gran Canaria, salsa dancing with strangers and brainstorming crazy ideas we could add to our bucket lists. Just a week earlier, I was sipping Turkish coffee at a roadside café in Bosnia because someone I’d just gone cliff diving with said, “You’d love it there,” and that was reason enough for me to buy a bus ticket.
Solo travel completely reshaped how I see the world — and myself. It showed me how many false limitations we place on ourselves. We put ourselves in boxes with labels, expectations, and timelines. The truth is, we’re far more expansive than we think. If you have the will and the courage, you can go anywhere, become anything, and rewrite your story as many times as you need.
5. What’s been your most meaningful acting role so far, and why?
The role that meant the most to me was actually a student film, which just goes to show that even the smallest projects can have a big impact. What made it so meaningful was that it was the first time I did comedy.
I was playing an unhinged girl on a hilariously bad date, and in one scene, I had this over-the-top emotional outburst. When the director yelled “cut,” the entire crew burst into laughter. That was the moment I realized the impact we can have as actors, not just by telling stories, but by bringing people joy.
I remember walking back to my car afterward, thinking, I want to do this every day for the rest of my life. That was the day I understood acting was more than just creative expression. I wanted to make people feel something — whether it’s laughter, healing, or hope. That’s what I’m here for.
6. What do you love most about hosting and helping others tell their stories?
I believe everyone has a story that can inspire, heal, or unlock something in someone else. What I love most about hosting is creating a space where people feel safe to show up as their authentic self and share their story with the world. It’s an incredible honor to listen as someone shares their passions, their struggles, and the moments that made them who they are. I’ll never get tired of seeing the way people light up when they do. For me, hosting is so much more than a quick conversation. It’s about connection, growth, and holding space for someone else to shine. It’s really a celebration of the human experience in all its messy, beautiful truth.
7.How do you stay connected to your purpose across such diverse industries?
It’s easy to feel connected to purpose in the social impact sector. When you’re providing direct support, the impact is immediate and tangible. However, I’ve learned that you can find opportunities to make a difference in almost anything you do — if you’re intentional. Now, I’m always looking for that chance, or creating it.
Sometimes, it’s a TikTok video where I open up about how I cope with getting rejected almost every day. Other times, it’s helping bring to life a film that will make someone laugh or feel a little less alone. Even when the work looks different, it always comes back to the same mission: bringing light into this world and helping others grow into the best versions of themselves.
8. What’s one challenge you’ve faced in modeling, and how did you overcome it?
When I first started modeling, I had a really low sense of self-worth. I didn’t believe I belonged in the industry. I would cry on the way to shoots, and when I saw the final photos, I barely recognized myself, not because of how I looked, but because I couldn’t see the beauty in myself.
Even though I didn’t feel worthy of being in those spaces, I kept showing up. I repeatedly told myself that because I was invited, it meant I did belong. With every shoot and every step out of my comfort zone, I grew. Over time, I stopped feeling like an impostor and started to trust that I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Modeling is a tough industry — one minute you’re “too big,” the next you’re “too small.” You realize that perfection doesn’t exist, so the best thing you can do is become your favorite version of yourself. Not everyone is going to love you, but if you do? That’s enough. That mindset has changed how I show up everywhere. Whenever I walk into a room, I remind myself I belong. And if someone doesn’t see my worth? That’s okay — because I do.
9. What’s a project, past or upcoming, that you’re especially excited about?
I’m about to film a feature that I’m incredibly excited about. It’s based on the memoir of a veteran and explores powerful themes such as trauma, mental health, love, and the complicated journey of readjusting to life after war. It’s a meaningful, beautifully written story, and I feel deeply honored to help bring it to life.
I’m also thrilled that the process will involve a lot of improv. I’ve always believed that improv invites a level of presence and honesty that’s hard to script. It challenges you to listen deeply, respond truthfully, and discover real, unexpected moments.
This film isn’t just entertainment — it’s going to be a conversation starter. It has the potential to build empathy, challenge stigma, and create space for healing. It’s exactly the kind of project I want to be a part of.
10. What message do you hope people take away from your journey?
I hope people walk away believing that they’re capable of more than they ever imagined. You don’t need the perfect background, connections, or timing to do something great. All you need is the permission to dream big, the courage to start, and the determination to keep going. If I can go from a shy girl in Ohio to modeling in Paris and acting in Hollywood, then so can you. Your wildest dreams aren’t too big — they’re just waiting for you to believe in them.