I’d recite this mantra before every high school theater performance — words that still ground me today.

I was the black sheep of my Catholic grade school class in Addison, IL — a place that instilled lasting values like loyalty, compassion, and honesty, while also introducing me to lifelong companions: anxiety and depression.

Seeking escape and expression, I found refuge in music, writing, and the news, which sparked an early love for storytelling and connection.

That passion led me to a career in public relations, where I merge creativity with strategy to shape meaningful narratives. As a gay, first-generation college graduate with a master’s from DePaul, I’m driven to challenge norms and elevate underrepresented voices.

I aspire to become an in-house brand manager at a company that shares my values — championing authenticity, inclusivity, and mental health. Above all, I aim to spark brighter moments for others, whether through a kind gesture or a well-timed dad joke.

After all, as Emerson would attest, laughter is the best medicine: