Location: Fairway, KS
Age: 58
Marital Status: Married
Education: Central Missouri State University
Tell me about your passion projects.
I am passionate about causes that impact women and children.. My pet project is Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. KCFAA offers year-round programs for at risk kids, including a free six-week summer camp that teaches critical life skills through dance. This organization (the work they do) really does change lives.
What books do you love?
Right now I’m reading Say You’re One Of Them by Uwen Akpan. It’s five separate short stories told from a child’s perspective. The stories are set in Africa and they detail the horrors, tragedies and life altering experiences that children and families endure. The stories are beautifully written .
What’s your style?
Classic with an edge.
Where do you like to shop?
A lot of places. I love Churchill’s. They have fabulous things, and I love them for accessories, timeless beautiful pieces.
What is the single most important thing you’ve learned in your career so far?
If you’d asked me this 20 years ago my answer would certainly be different than what it is today. Now I’d say: Find some balance. Be true to who you are and what’s important to you. Work hard, but take some time to enjoy success along the way. The one thing I’ve always known, and understand even better as I get older, is that none of this is promised and it doesn’t last forever.
What are you using for skin care?
La Mer. I was talking to this woman with beautiful skin and asked her what she used. She said La Mer so I ran out and got the moisturizer, the cleanser, the body lotion. So that’s what I’m doing now.
What or who inspires you?
My parents and my husband. My parents have been my biggest inspiration. My father is a minister and he has always lived the life that he preached about. And both of my parents have always given me unconditional love in every sense of the word. My mother raised me to be a stong confident woman, she’s an independent thinker, I think she was ahead of her time, ya know? She got two bachelors and her masters after I graduated from college. My husband’s sense of fairness, integrity and goodness inspires me.
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Piropos in Kansas City. I’ve never had anything there that I didn’t think was really good. And Tatsu’s. Four of my girlfriends and I go to a wine tasting there every month or so. The food is fabulous, and it’s a great time to be with friends.
Biggest indulgence?
Decorating my new house.
Do you exercise?
I walk. We live on the golf course and there’s a lake nearby. My husband and I walk in the evenings. It’s a beautiful area in every season.
How do you rejuvenate?
I love to just sit and read a book and spending time with my family. That’s absolutely rejuvenating for me.
Favorite place to travel?
Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a great place to see people. And great food. But mainly I think it’s the people.
What have you learned about money in your life?
Spend it like there is a tomorrow.