Most real estate agents have a story about loving houses since childhood. Mine's a bit different.
After spending a decade in product leadership at fintech and health tech startups—most recently managing financial and payments platforms for high-growth companies—I found myself at a crossroads in 2023. Our company had been acquired, and I had the rare opportunity to pause and ask: What do I actually want to do with my life?
The answer surprised me: real estate.
Not because I'd always dreamed of it, but because my husband Joe and I had become accidental experts at it. By 2024, we'd bought and renovated our fourth home together—each time getting better at seeing potential, understanding value, negotiating terms, and creating spaces that truly reflected how we wanted to live.
When you've moved from Kansas City to Portland, bought a 1913 Dutch Colonial in Portland's Arlington Heights and meticulously renovated it room by room, then discovered Bainbridge Island and fallen completely in love with island living... well, eventually you realize: This isn't just a hobby. This is a calling.
From Kansas City to Bainbridge Island
Joe and I grew up in Kansas City, where we met and started our life together. But by 2018, I was ready for a change. We knew we wanted the West Coast—I just had to find the right spot.
We explored everywhere from San Diego to Seattle, and Portland won our hearts. It felt like the Midwest of the West Coast: genuinely kind people, neighborhood-centric layout where each area had its own distinct character, and access to everything I loved—wine country, the coast, waterfalls, skiing. We couldn't resist.
Our home in Arlington Heights—the only neighborhood nestled in Washington Park—was love at first sight. Unlike the monochromatic modern new build I'd designed in Prairie Village, Kansas, this 1913 home had soul. It had been loved. It had history. It had charm.
Over the next few years, I dove deep into renovation: meticulously updating it for modern life while preserving its historic character. I brought Kelly Wearstler's philosophy of creative tension—mixing eras, textures, and unexpected pairings—into a classic 1913 framework. Every decision was intentional. Every detail mattered.
Discovering Bainbridge Island
In 2022, we made another move—this time to Bainbridge Island.
Initially, I was seeking relief from Oregon's state and local income taxes (some of the highest in the nation). We kept our Portland home and thought Bainbridge would be a weekend escape from city life.
I was wrong. In the best possible way.
Within months, we'd stopped going back to Portland. I fell in love with Bainbridge: the people, the private lots, the waterfront properties, the stunning scenery, the ferry ride when I needed Seattle's energy (Barry's Bootcamp, Mario's, and afternoon tea at the Fairmont became my regular haunts). Most of all, I loved how Bainbridge felt like stepping back into the '90s—in the best sense.
Unlike Portland, you see kids out playing without parents hovering. There's trust. There's community. There's a slower pace. Just make sure you're home before the streetlights come on!
After two years of full-time island living, I knew: This is where I belonged.
Why Real Estate? Why Now?
The realization hit during our Bainbridge home renovation. As I was designing our space, managing contractors, selecting finishes, creating flow, I thought: I've done this four times now. I love this process. I'm good at it. Why aren't I helping others do this?
Real estate isn't that different from product leadership, I realized.
In product management, you:
- Develop deep market understanding
- Identify user needs (sometimes before they do)
- Create strategic plans to solve problems
- Execute flawlessly on details
- Balance big-picture vision with tactical precision
In real estate, you do exactly the same thing—except the "product" is finding someone their perfect home, or positioning a property to attract the right buyer.
I bring the same strategic rigor, user-first thinking, and execution excellence that made me successful in tech to real estate. Except now, instead of building software products, I'm helping people find homes that truly reflect how they want to live.
What Makes Me Different
I'm Not Your Traditional Agent
I don't have 20 years of deals under my belt. What I have is:
Strategic Thinking: Product leadership taught me to see patterns, anticipate market shifts, and develop winning strategies. I apply this to your home search or sale.
Design Sophistication: Four renovations (including our Portland Dutch Colonial and Bainbridge home) taught me to see potential where others see problems. I can walk into a property and envision what it could become.
Relocation Expertise: I've lived in Kansas City, Portland, and now Bainbridge Island. I intimately understand the questions, concerns, and excitement of relocating—especially from the West Coast.
Undivided Attention: While I'm building my portfolio, you get white-glove service and complete focus. You're not competing with 50 other clients for my time.
Tech Fluency: I embrace technology. Expect fast responses, thorough research, data-driven insights, and seamless communication.
Who I'm Built to Serve
My ideal client is a transplant—whether from Seattle, another state, or another country—who's seeking a quieter life in a beautiful setting. You have a certain lifestyle, and you want your home to reflect that. You're discerning. You expect quality. You value strategy over shortcuts.
You might be:
- A Portland professional tired of state income taxes and city stress
- A Bay Area or Southern California buyer seeking Pacific Northwest lifestyle
- A Seattle-based family or empty-nester ready for island living
- A tech executive or founder wanting a retreat that's still accessible to Seattle
- Anyone who values design, nature, privacy, and community
You care about more than square footage and price per square foot. You want someone who understands why certain properties work and others don't. Someone who can help you envision the lifestyle, not just the transaction.
That's what I do.
Beyond Real Estate
When I'm not helping clients, you'll find Joe and me:
- Walking Bainbridge beaches and the Grand Forest with our cockapoos, Clifford and Marley
- Exploring Seattle for shopping, dining, and my workout routines
- Getting out on the water when weather cooperates
- Curating our home (it never really ends, does it?)
- Discovering Bainbridge's hidden gems and sharing them with my clients
I split my time between Bainbridge and my beloved Portland home. Having both perspectives—city life and island sanctuary—helps me guide clients who are considering the same transition.
Art, Culture & Community
One of the reasons I fell in love with Bainbridge Island is its thriving arts scene—surprisingly robust for a community of 25,000. I'm a regular at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, never miss First Friday Art Walks in Winslow, and frequently catch performances at the Bainbridge Performing Arts Center.
The 35-minute ferry ride to Seattle means I also enjoy easy access to world-class cultural institutions: Seattle Art Museum, the Paramount Theatre, and the 5th Avenue Theatre are all regular destinations. For me, Bainbridge offers the best of both worlds—intimate island arts community and proximity to Seattle's major cultural venues.
This matters for my clients because: When helping buyers evaluate neighborhoods and lifestyle fit, I understand that access to arts and culture isn't a "nice-to-have"—it's essential. If you're relocating from a culturally rich city, you need to know that Bainbridge won't feel limiting.
The Bainbridge Island Market Right Now
The island is changing. More people are discovering this special place and are eager to find their perfect home here. The pandemic accelerated what was already happening: a shift away from big-city stressors toward natural surroundings, private lots, and genuine community.
The future—at least the future I'm betting on—is exactly what Bainbridge offers: nature, space, and connection.
If that resonates with you, let's talk.
Let's Find Your Bainbridge Home
Whether you're just starting to explore Bainbridge Island or you're ready to make a move, I'd love to help. Schedule a confidential consultation, and let's discuss your vision, timeline, and what you're really looking for.
This isn't just real estate. It's finding where you belong.
