Tell us about your background. How did you end up at CNCDA?

Before joining CNCDA, I worked for another California trade association, where I managed trade shows and worked closely with vendors and exhibitors. I joined CNCDA in 2020 as Events Manager and later became Director of Education & Events, overseeing our events and educational programs. In 2025, I moved into my current role as Director of Strategic Partnerships. It was a natural transition for me because I’ve always enjoyed building relationships, connecting people and finding new ways to create value for our members.

What does your current role and position entail?

I oversee CNCDA’s strategic partnerships, including our sponsorship and Licensed Vendor programs. I spend a lot of my time building relationships with companies serving the automotive industry and identifying opportunities to connect the right companies with our dealers. I also manage our existing partner relationships and work with them to create meaningful opportunities through our events, education, thought leadership and other programs.

When should a dealer member reach out to you? What kinds of questions or issues are you the best resource for?

I want to hear from dealers when they’re working with a great company that isn’t currently part of the CNCDA partner ecosystem. Some of our best partnership opportunities come directly from dealer recommendations, and hearing what’s working well in their stores helps us identify companies that could bring value to the broader membership.

Dealers should also reach out when they’re looking for a trusted industry resource, vendor or solution and aren’t sure where to start. I work with companies across a wide range of areas in the automotive industry, so I’m always happy to make an introduction or connect a dealer with the right resource.

What’s something you work on behind the scenes that directly benefits our dealer members?

A lot of what I do happens behind the scenes. I’m constantly talking with companies, evaluating potential partners and negotiating agreements to make sure the companies we align with are a good fit for CNCDA and can provide real value to our dealers. I’m also always looking for gaps in our partner ecosystem and identifying additional resources that could benefit our members.

What’s a project you’re currently working on that directly impacts our members?

I’m currently working on our 2027 partnership strategy and looking at where we can bring new resources, education and opportunities to our dealers. A big part of that is listening to our dealers’ needs.

I’m also working on the team transitioning CNCDA to a new association management system (AMS), which will improve how our members interact with CNCDA and access the resources and information they need.

What do you enjoy most about working with California’s dealer community?

The relationships. I really enjoy getting to know our dealers, learning about their businesses and hearing what’s happening in their stores. I also love connecting people, and it’s rewarding when those introductions turn into valuable relationships.

What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?

I have a Great Dane named Clyde who weighs about as much as I do. He’s a very big part of my family — literally.

Coffee or tea? Early bird or night owl?

Pre-workout! A little extra power for my early morning workouts.

What was your first car?

My first car was a green Mitsubishi Galant.

Any hidden talents or other fun facts about you?

Singing! And, in a completely different arena, I was a nationally qualified bikini athlete.