For over 20 years my professional life was filled with a wonderful array of amazing animals. I became a zoo keeper in 2001 and for 15+ years my work focused on Rhinos. It was a honor and delight to care for such amazing animals. 

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​However, in May of 2022, I stepped away from Zookeeping as a career in order to pivot to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence. Now, from the outside, data and technology focused roles would seem to be a decent career change from that of Senior Animal Care Specialist. However, I have found the heart of data-driven insights to be something I was already drawn to within the zoo field, as it is heavily based in science and is full of data with which to work. From behavioral ethograms, to monitoring dietary consumptions, to tracking health concerns, and even coordinating species populations based on genetics or labor studies that affect the health and wellbeing of keepers, I have spent much of my working life gathering, analyzing, visualizing, and presenting insights to management, peers, and even at professional conferences. I’ve also taken on project management roles as well as peer leadership and training and find that those experiences, along with engaging with data, to be one of the most rewarding parts of my zookeeping career.

New Adventures

On September 28 of 2022, I finally got a hurricane for a birthday present as Hurricane Ian made landfall less than 100 miles south of me. And in the wake of recovery (I was very fortunate to only have lost power and internet for a bit) I interviewed and was offered a job at Raymond James Financial as a Data Analyst on their Compliance Metrics and Reporting team (having to eek out wifi at friends' houses and coffee shops to do so.) 

​I started in November of 2022 and have been meeting with stakeholders, building data models, designing dashboards, and automating reporting ever since.  The change in my life has been one of the most drastic I've experienced.
I now- 

• have a regular schedule (both in the hours of the day worked and in days worked - my mondays are Monday and my fridays are Friday)
• have holidays off (no more working on Christmas or Thanksgiving - but shout out to those who do, I see you and support you.)
• work indoors -  the Florida summer hits a little different from this perspective (to those still working outside, I see you and I know, oh I know) 
• work for a company focused on people and growth over the long term (am I throwing shade in the chronologically rearward direction?  YES, YES I AM) 
• am still figuring out work/life balance, but am the most happy and content I've been in a long time. 

I sailed off the edge of the map and am excited to explore what I was exceptionally fortunate to find. 

In Office

Remote - WFH

I don't have to wear khaki anymore! 

Creatively I have been drawn to- ​

Photography

I've been taking photos ever since my parents put my grandad's Olympus Om-1 in my hands.
Growing up I started with 35mm and over time have made the switch to digital.  
​I currently use a Canon 7D Mark II and a 6D (full frame!) and recently acquired my first L-series lens.

Sewing and Crafting

My mother is a quilter and taught me the basics.  Since then I have worked on my sewing skills (with the help of some wonderful friends) and have broadened to make petticoats, corsets, dresses, shirts, coats, headbands, zipper pouches, keychains, bags, costumes and cosplay. 

Personal Brands - 

​@artandrhinos

My personal social media presence is under @artandrhinos. I created it in 2011 as my own personal brand and worked as freelance a photographer under that name for a few years. (Some of my pictures still have the watermark.) 
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Mud Wallow Jive

​I developed a brand for my creative endeavors - Mud Wallow Jive.
"Celebrating the beauty and joy of life."
This is also the name of my Etsy store. 

A Personal Passion - Travel

I have been exceptionally fortunate to have a family that instilled a love of travel from early childhood. I've been to the four corners of the US as well as visits to Europe and Africa.  Wanderlust is in my blood and I look forward to the next time my steps lead me away from home.