Family: My husband and my two boys. We live in Bethel.

Career: I work at Newtown Savings Bank. I’m the community resource officer here, and I work with Dan Rosenthal. We do a lot of the community outreach, a lot of the financial education, the charitable giving, and we manage the bank’s volunteer program.

Our employees are encouraged to volunteer in the communities we serve. It is very much part of our culture for all employees including the board members. We went from approximately 5,200 hours by all bank employees in 2022 to 6,100+ in 2023, which averages to each employee doing approximately 20 volunteer hours. We just keep encouraging and creating opportunities for employees to get involved.

I serve on the board for Bethel Public Library, and previously served on the boards for Bethel Chamber of Commerce and Bethel Volunteer Fire Department.

What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was in fourth grade I wanted to be a tour guide at the FDR estate in Hyde Park, N.Y. I was a history nerd. I had that tour memorized [laughs]. I would go every weekend. I really thought that was going to be my job.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I love hanging with my family. My son plays baseball, so we go to a lot of games. I also love to read.

Favorite Book? The book that’s stuck with me the most is A Separate Peace by John Knowles, but I’ll really read anything.

What was the most recent movie you saw at the theater? Barbie, at Edmond Town Hall.

If you could spend the day with one person, living or deceased, who would you select and why? My grandfather. He was my best friend growing up. I’m sure all my cousins felt that way. He wasn’t some larger-than-life personality, or overly affectionate, he was just constant. He showed up to your games, your award ceremonies, served everyone before making his own plate at Sunday dinner. He shared my love of history, so we would watch documentaries together. “The buck stops here” became a popular quote for me after the Truman documentary in the fourth grade. He had a lot of quotes that my cousins and I were convinced made no sense. Now that we’re older we get them. I still hear him sometimes ... especially a colorful quote he had about excuses.

Favorite Musicians? I’m very eclectic but right now it’s Lainey Wilson, Weezer, and Linkin Park.

What was the most recent concert you went to? Jordan Davis, and right before that Lainey Wilson, both at the amphitheater in Bridgeport this summer. I don’t usually go to concerts because I don’t enjoy crowds, but that place is so comfortable and manageable.

Do you have any pet peeves? When people say “first annual.”

Favorite Color? Green.

What is your favorite food? Spedina. It’s a family recipe, a stuffed meat with cheese and bread crumbs and sauce. They’re small, and you put them on a skewer. They’re also time intensive, and we only have them at Christmas.

What is your proudest achievement? I’ve been with my husband since we were 17, and I’ve always been very proud of how far we’ve come together. We’ve been through college, we saved up for our first home, we have our two boys. He’s always supportive of my career, so I think I found a good partner and that makes a difference.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? Maine. My husband has been going since he was 5. I started going with him when we were in college, and now our boys are going too. It’s very relaxing.

What is your favorite part about Newtown? It’s such a tight-knit community. I think there are very few towns that can boast as many nonprofit and community groups that it does, and have them all be successful. I think that just speaks to the priorities of the town and the residents. I think people genuinely care about the community. You see a lot of people put effort in. Like the parks recently, where there was a need for equipment for children with special needs. Where they see gaps, it gets filled by community members — and done well, not just done. I think that’s nice.

Do you have a personal credo? During the 2011 University of Vermont commencement address, the speaker made a comment that has really stuck with me: “Even as you put your time, talents, and energy to more productive uses, find ways to share them with those less fortunate. Make no mistake about it — one of life’s greatest gifts is the privilege of sharing one’s own blessings with others.

“I’m talking about more than just ‘random acts of kindness’ here. Random acts of kindness are important, but they are not enough — the world does not thrive this way. What is most needed are unselfish people, who are regularly, habitually, and deliberately kind — people, who make caring for others a personal devotion, a part of their everyday lives. That’s what’s really needed — people who are willing to serve the needs of others.”