I’m running for City Council because I am head over heels in love with Wilmington. I guess you could say it was love at first sight when I visited in 1996 and moved here from Virginia three weeks later!

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My United Methodist upbringing calls me to show love with my actions, and I’ve volunteered with many great causes over the years.  But housing became my true calling because it is the foundation of life. Housing problems are both a symptom and a root cause of social issues that impact the whole community: 

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• Economy

• Disaster Preparedness

• Health

• Safety

 

I saw these forces at work in my professional life, too. When I worked for a civil engineering firm, I focused on designing subdivisions responsibly, navigating zoning and environmental regulations all over the Southeast.

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Then I became the CEO of a regional nonprofit home repair ministry, WARM NC. Our services were so desperately needed, we grew from serving 44 families a year to over 400 per year during my 15 years as the leader. This involved securing and administering millions of dollars in government grants and private donations as well as mobilizing volunteers from around the country, especially after hurricanes. These families included seniors in need of wheelchair ramps, hardworking single parents whose heat suddenly went out, families recovering from Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, and military veterans who had put off asking for the help they deserved. ​

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Now I work for a nonprofit affordable housing developer where we overcome incredible odds to finance and build homes for those the runaway housing market has left behind. ​I get things done because I am pragmatic and solution-oriented, working with leaders from all political backgrounds to address community needs.

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I am grateful to have a strong support system for this journey including close friends, family, and colleagues, my loving husband Jared Kerr, a UNCW professor, and my incredible stepchildren Conor and Kira. My mother taught me the rewards of a life of service and will always be my hero.

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My leadership background, subject matter expertise, and heart for service make me a highly qualified candidate to be a good steward of our shared Wilmington home. Please do me the great honor of electing me to City Council so I can continue to work hard for the City we all love.