I am the current Executive Director for Minds Matter Houston. Growing up in Detroit, MI, as the daughter of a medical school professor, higher education wasn't just encouraged, it was a non-negotiable cornerstone of my upbringing. This early foundation instilled in me a deep appreciation for its transformative power, a value that clearly aligns with Minds Matter's core mission. My commitment to supporting young people extends back many years. Most recently, while in Los Angeles, I launched a nanny and babysitting business primarily serving working mothers. The distinctive model of my business was to hire college students or recent college graduates, who served not just as caregivers, but as role models for the children they supported. This experience underscored my belief in the importance of mentorship, as these role models provided invaluable guidance and inspiration. Through this venture, I frequently hired first-generation college students, gaining firsthand insight into the unique challenges they navigate—a perspective that is invaluable to our work.