A native Chicagoan and second generation Ukrainian-American, I love our Central Coast community and lifestyle. I went to Occidental College in Los Angeles (B.A., Psychology) followed by the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago (B.A., Interior Design). I have had the wonderful experience of studying abroad in Paris, France, and also living in Orange County, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico. An early interest in urban planning allowed me to research, publish, and present my work at international conferences in Turkey, Germany, and Sweden, while working for nearly a decade in downtown advocacy nonprofits. Currently, I am pursuing my passion for the arts by running my own small art studio. I enjoy tennis, hiking, wine country, and good food, and spending time with my husband, our 7 year old daughter Rosie, and miniature doodle puppy Butters.