10 Year Vision for Knoxville
In 10 years, I would like Knoxville to continue to shine as a vibrant community with increased cohesiveness across all sectors and areas of Knox County. Ideally, Knoxville will have a thriving economy with opportunities for growth. Knoxville will be a safe place to raise a family and be a place with beautiful green spaces throughout the city for her residents to enjoy.
What is Knoxville's Best Kept Secret?
Northshore Brasserie and Chez Guevara (formerly known as La Paz)
What would you do to strengthen Knoxville?
Knoxville is a city where people often stay or return to raise their families after growing up here. It is also a place where people have a tendency to stay loyal to a specific area and can on occasion operate in a silo. I would love to see an initiative in the high schools where students across the county can collaborate on projects. In order for this to be most effective the program would need to be open to/encouraged for all students.
What is your favorite Knoxville memory?
This is a difficult question for me to answer as Knoxville has been in the forefront of most of my memories. Knoxville is my hometown and outside of a few years, I have lived here most of my life. The best memories of Knoxville are the memories I am making right now. I am actively raising two small children in the place I called home growing up. I am fortunate to be able to do so with my parents and sister's family living within a 3-mile radius of my home. It just does not get much better than that.
What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand?
I just finished "The Wedding Veil" by Kristy Woodson Harvey. It was fantastic.
What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor?
Debbie Ingram was one of my professors in physical therapy school at The University of TN, Chattanooga. She was extremely influential to me during those years, and I am so grateful for the interest she took in me as a person and as a young therapist. When we started school, she told us to prioritize rest and to put the books away by 9 pm. While that certainly wasn't always possible during school, I think it is extremely valuable advice. Rest is so important and if we are not taking care of ourselves, we cannot take care of others.
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
To know that everything will work out in time.
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