At a very young age, I was introduced to professional theatre. The moment the curtain opened, I was hooked. Due to my early introduction to live performances, I spent most of my childhood and adult life either on or backstage, stretching all over California. I knew that to love my career truly; I had to make sure I was in a field that was, foremost, creative.In 2017, I took a significant step in my career by establishing The Actors' Playpen, a theatre company in the greater Sacramento area that later earned an Elly Award for its contributions to the arts. However, the unforeseen challenges brought on by the pandemic required us to pause our plans for The Actors' Playpen. Despite this setback, my role as Artistic Director and Co-Founder remains a title I hold dear, and while we have no immediate plans to return, I am optimistic about the future of our theatre.The pause in theatre activities allowed me to explore new avenues for my creativity, leading me to my current role as the Senior Manager of Membership and Communication Strategy at California Association of Alcohol & Drug Program Executives. Here, I have the unique opportunity to infuse creativity into an association focused on enhancing the accessibility and quality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment services. It is immensely gratifying to contribute to a team that makes a tangible difference in the lives of those in most need of help.Each year, as I reflect on our collective achievements, I am filled with pride for the impact we have made. My journey from the arts to advocacy underscores the versatility of creativity and its power to inspire change across diverse fields.