The race for City Council is on. Here is questionnaire sent to those running to help you understand the candidates.

Who are you, in your daily life?

In my daily life, I’m a working professional, a mother of three, and someone deeply rooted in community. I currently work as a Development Coordinator at Black Hills Center for Aging where I have the opportunity to advocate for individuals experiencing aging related illness and families in need of respite care and caregiver support services. 

My background also includes time working in economic development, commercial construction, and nearly 8-years serving in the Mayor’s Office, where I worked closely with residents on constituent services and City Council moving strategic initiatives forward. 

At home, I’m a busy mom, and that perspective keeps me grounded in what matters most—safe neighborhoods, good schools, strong local businesses, and a community where families can thrive. Whether I’m at work, at home with my kids, or out in the community, I try to lead with a practical, solutions-oriented mindset and a genuine commitment to making Rapid City a better place for everyone.

What prompted you to run for city council in the first place?

As a young working mother raising my children here, I have a long-term investment in the future of our community and a deep desire to ensure it remains a place where families and businesses can thrive. Through my experience working across private industry, local government, and higher education, I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities we have—and the challenges we must get ahead of—particularly when it comes to growth, economic development, and retaining local talent. I wanted the opportunity to provide a different perspective, one that was missing from our Council, to represent our working families in the community.  

How have you worked in the past to contribute to the local community?

My professional work in nonprofit development has allowed me to directly contribute to strengthening our community by supporting programs and services that make a real difference in people’s lives. In addition to that, serving as an elected official has given me the opportunity to advocate for responsible growth, community investment, and policies that reflect the needs of residents. I’ve always believed in showing up, listening, and doing the work.

What do you consider to be the pillars of your campaign?

The pillars of my campaign focus on building a strong, sustainable future for Rapid City while preserving our small-town feel and what makes our community so special. First and foremost is economic development, with a focus on attracting and supporting businesses that bring high-paying jobs in innovation and technology. By strengthening public-private partnerships and working closely with institutions like South Dakota Mines, we can retain local talent and create meaningful opportunities for our residents and future generations.

The second pillar is intentional and strategic growth. Rapid City is growing, and it’s critical that we get out ahead of that growth by planning thoughtfully prioritizing infill development, revitalizing existing neighborhoods, addressing housing shortages, and balancing development with open, accessible community spaces. This approach ensures we protect our quality of life while continuing to welcome new residents and investment.

Finally, my campaign is centered on public safety and a strong, vibrant downtown. A thriving community starts with people feeling safe, and I believe the City has a responsibility to ensure our streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces are clean, welcoming, and secure. I am especially passionate about our downtown, which serves as the heart of Rapid City. By prioritizing safety, cleanliness, and thoughtful investment, we can create a downtown that is not only vibrant and economically prosperous, but also a place where residents, families, and visitors feel comfortable gathering, supporting local businesses, and building a true sense of community.

How do you feel about the city’s role regarding issues between Summer Nights and Downtown businesses? Would you have done anything differently?

I believe the city’s role is to help facilitate collaboration and ensure that both community events like Summer Nights and our downtown businesses can succeed. These are not competing interests—they are both vital to the vibrancy of Rapid City. Moving forward, I would prioritize earlier and more consistent communication between stakeholders to address concerns proactively and find solutions that support both economic activity and community engagement.

What are your feelings on the use of fiscal tools (like TIFs) to attract private investments within Rapid City? What would be your approach to using these tools?

Fiscal tools like TIFs can be valuable when used strategically and transparently. I believe they should be applied in ways that clearly demonstrate a public benefit—whether that’s infrastructure improvements, workforce housing, or long-term economic growth. My approach is cautious and intentional, ensuring that any use of these tools aligns with community priorities and provides a measurable return for taxpayers with limited risk.

What is a public investment you feel Rapid City could benefit from? (such as roads, parks, public transit, etc.)

Rapid City would benefit from continued, proactive investment in infrastructure—especially when it comes to roads and long-term planning for growth. As our community expands, it’s critical that we stay ahead of those needs to avoid reactive decision-making and prioritize improvements to aging roads and infill development. One key project is the buildout and connection of E. Anamosa Street to Elk Vale Road, which would improve safety by reducing high traffic volumes on Diamond Ridge Boulevard while also opening up additional commercial opportunities for development. At the same time, thoughtful investment in public spaces like parks can enhance quality of life and make Rapid City an even more attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

A lot of current attention is on Citizens’ desire to own hens… how would you evaluate whether a policy is worth implementing?

When evaluating any policy, including something like allowing backyard hens, I believe it’s important to take a balanced and thoughtful approach that includes listening to community input, reviewing data from other cities, considering public health and safety, and evaluating enforceability. Ultimately, I look at whether a policy is practical, beneficial to residents, and sustainable for the city to manage. Every decision should be grounded in what best serves the community as a whole.