What are one or two of your greatest business and/or community achievements?

One of my greatest professional achievements has been my leadership at Unitech Training Academy, where I’ve helped expand access to education while strengthening compliance and institutional accountability. Over the past several years, I’ve supported thousands of students in navigating financial aid and funding opportunities, while also advancing into senior leadership overseeing multi-state compliance, audits, and regulatory strategy. A highlight of this work was spearheading an initiative that connected students to critical funding resources and resulted in a record number of students receiving assistance, helping ensure access to education without unnecessary debt.

My proudest community achievement is being part of work that uplifts others. Through my service with the Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women, I’ve helped shine a light on women who are shaping Acadiana through leadership, service, and resilience that are often without recognition. Creating those moments of visibility and connection is impact I’m deeply proud of.

What’s your favorite thing about what you do for a living?

My favorite part of what I do is the students. Being able to be part of Acadiana’s story, helping change lives through education, is incredibly meaningful to me. Recently, I was at the dentist and struck up a conversation with the dental assistant. When I asked where she graduated from, she said Unitech. Moments like that, meeting people like her out in the community, remind me why this work matters. Seeing our students succeed and thrive long after graduation is the most rewarding part of what I do.

You’ve led compliance and funding work that helped secure over $20M and support 1,500+ students annually. What’s one behind-the-scenes challenge people don’t see that it takes to make that access possible?

That’s a great question, and it’s very layered. One behind-the-scenes challenge (and I wouldn’t say it was a challenge at all – I would say that it’s a strength) is that it takes everyone. It is a team effort. There is not a way forward for 1,500 students, greater than 1,500 students every year, without an entire team.

That is everyone working together, beginning to the end of the student’s enrollment; from the financial aid officers to the financial aid counseling, to ensure that the students know the information. As we know, education is that gateway to economic mobility and the next step socially. I would have to say it wouldn’t be a challenge. It would be more of a strength. Everyone working together to ensure that the students get what they need, and that need is funding. That way they’re able to receive the education that they come to Unitech Training Academy for.