I began my career as a self-starter professional theatre artist and Founding Artistic director of Hand2Mouth Theatre (H2M); a well-known and respected arts organization in Portland Oregon writing, creating and directing award-winning original theatre works. Throughout this 20 year period I always forged a self-made path. I have never been beholden to industry trends or commercial viability pressures on any of my projects, instead evolving into a producer and fundraiser and program leader who could initiate and carry out works and projects meaningful to me, my community, and my collaborators. Over 20 years as organizational leader I initiated and led community-engaged creative workshops at colleges, theaters, schools, prisons and contemporary festivals nationally and in Latin America, Europe, and Africa. H2M’s work has been covered in multiple online, print, and radio outlets, including Oregon Public Broadcasting and the New York Times, and has performed Off-Broadway. I have been awarded competitive artist residencies in the U.S. and abroad and won fellowships and travel grants for international projects, including an Oregon Arts Commission 'Individual Artist Fellowship' and the Career Development Program for Directors Fellowship from the Theatre Communications Group and the National Endowment for the Arts.Recently I transitioned to a new career focus, as H2M’s first Director of International Programs, combining my interest and expertise in cross-cultural communication, peace building, international affairs and civil society / youth engagement. I work in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, international NGOs and individuals to envision, organize, fund, secure partners, train teams and co-lead international collaborative cultural diplomacy projects. The program is one part cross-cultural ensemble exchange and one part community engagement team that produces local programming and uplifts local voices wherever we go. The program teaches theatre, storytelling, filmmaking and community interviewing skills through free workshops and performances around the world — all co-led by a collaboration between acclaimed U.S. and local teaching artists. Recent awards include a State Department Alumni TIES grant for “Transforming Conflict Through Theatre", to help shape H2M’s Dialogue and Difference curriculum into a peace-building and community integrative approach to cultural exchange. In the current two year cycle H2M’s International Programs will work in 13 different countries and the African Union.