A career change ended up transforming my life in ways that extended far beyond my professional life. Every step of my journey prepared me to take the leap and forge a path defined by purpose and a passion for serving others.

 

It was during the pandemic that I realized something had to change. At the time, I was the general manager of the Courtyard Marriott in Boone, North Carolina. We never shut down, which meant I filled nearly every role we couldn’t staff—cleaning rooms, working the front desk, managing laundry, and overseeing the restaurant, bar, and Starbucks. Through my tenure with Marriot, we ranked among the top 10 Courtyards worldwide and earned Marriott’s Diamond Circle award. I was proud of what we accomplished, but I was ready for a new chapter.

 

After studying Hospitality and Tourism Management at Appalachian State University, I went on to earn my MBA, including a study abroad in China where I worked on business case studies with students at Nanjing University. Right out of school, I stepped into hotel leadership during the 2008 recession, managing three boutique properties under The Village Inns of Blowing Rock. I started in sales and was quickly promoted to general manager, gaining experience in marketing, customer service, accounting, and HR. I’ve always kept a hands-on approach, met challenges head-on, and expected a lot from myself and my teams.

  

After nearly a decade in hotel management, I moved into real estate development with Blue Ridge Mountain Club. I managed their Blowing Rock sales office and supported marketing and event efforts as the community grew. When a new Marriott opened in Boone, I returned as general manager. I led that property for nine years through growth and crisis. But after COVID, I knew I needed a different kind of challenge—one that allowed more flexibility to prioritize family while still having a career I was proud of.

 

That brought me back to real estate, this time in resale. I’ve always loved homes and design and had experience buying, renovating, and selling properties. In early 2023, I got licensed in North Carolina and Tennessee and joined Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Banner Elk. My background in hospitality proved invaluable. I understand people, service, and how to manage details under pressure. I help clients get to know the area and find the community that fits their lifestyle. Many arrive thinking they want one thing but discover something better after we explore together. I offer full-service support, from preparing listings and finding potential homes to connecting buyers with trusted local vendors and serving as a resource long after the transaction is over. 

 

In my first year, I ranked among the top agents in my market and office and placed in the top 1% nationally for Sotheby’s. I’m a market leader in luxury real estate, but enjoy serving a variety of client needs, from second homes and relocations to investment properties. My success is a result of consistency, being present, following through, and treating every client with care. Many return or refer others because I am involved from beginning to end and deliver on what I promise. Relationships are the heart of my business. I love the people I get to work with every day and aim to make a lasting impact on their lives.

 

Real estate has completely changed my life. It gave me the flexibility I never had in hospitality, especially as a working mom. I can be there for my kids, make time for the things I love, and still build a business I'm proud of and that is my own. 

 

Our daughter, Molly, is a student at App State and helps run Benchmark Provisions. Our son, Colt, is in middle school. We have three dogs and four horses. I grew up competing in hunter-jumper and dressage, so having horses again has been a joy. We spend our free time at Watauga Lake or riding trails at Moses Cone and Leatherwood Mountains.

  

We’ve raised our family here in Boone and have been longtime residents of the High Country,

 so staying involved in the community has always been important to me. My husband Zak and I own Benchmark Provisions, a beer and wine market in downtown Boone. I enjoy staying connected with other local businesses through the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and also mentor young women in business school through Women of Walker. I currently serve on the board of Habitat for Humanity and in the past served on the Boone Tourism Development Authority, High Country Host, High Country Workforce Development Board, and taught hotel management at Appalachian State’s Walker College of Business.

 

As a luxury specialist, I focus on presentation, precision, and personal service. I