I’ve lived in Monrovia for 5 years with my husband, Jim and daughters Isabella and Chloe. I’m originally from Canada and grew up in London, Ontario. We opened our office in Old Town Monrovia in 2017. Our company is PaleoWest, LLC and we conduct archaeological, paleontological, and architectural history assessments. We love having an office one mile from our home! We have a wiener dog named Olive who is fearless and loves to protect us from the mail carriers and our forest friends whenever they wander through our yard.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We are a family of four with our dog, Olive, and our bunny named Lulu. Our daughters, Izzy and Chloe, are 16 and 13, respectively. We love hiking, visiting museums, and traveling.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I studied Anthropology at the University of Western Ontario and completed grad school at Colorado State University. My thesis research was focused on cave archaeology in Belize. I’ve been working as an archaeologist for 23 years and am now Senior Vice President of our company working on the business side of archeology and cultural resource management. I love that my job constantly challenges me and I’m always learning about our nation’s history and prehistory based on the projects we work on throughout the U.S.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Our favorite breakfast and lunch spot is Cafe on Lemon, and we love Bella Serra Trattoria for happy hour or dinner.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have been living and working in Monrovia since May of 2017. We moved here from Altadena.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
We have met so many interesting people! The person that stands out for me is Chef Alex from Saute Culinary Academy. I love how passionate he is about our community and we’re a big fan of his cooking classes. My kids have taken classes with him as well.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
This is a tough one because we love to travel, but if someone handed me tickets to any destination in the world, it would have to be Spain. I’ve been twice before. I love how diverse the country is and there’s so much to see and do. We took cooking classes in Seville last time we were there and I would love to do that again.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
We just binged Yellowstone and loved it. I knew very little about cowboy culture. We work with many tribal groups in California, so it was interesting to see the relationships and power struggles between tribes, politicians, and landowners in that show. My favorite movie of all time is the English Patient. I also loved the book.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
To be kind. Life is too short to treat people with disrespect. I believe that people who are genuinely kind live happier and more fulfilling lives.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would like to hike the Camino de Santiago someday
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Haha! Well, it would either be Taylor Swift or the Beatles. So different, I know!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Chef Alex’s Saute Academy. When we lived in Altadena, we bought cooking classes for Valentine’s Day and that was my first introduction to Monrovia 6 or 7 years ago.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Michelle Obama. We’d go for a hike and have a picnic in Canyon Park or Clamshell trail. If I’m pressed for time, I’d grab some pastries and treats from Merengue.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the fact that we can leave for a hike from our front door and be in the wilderness within 20 minutes or so. I love the fact that we have access to the Monrovia Hillside Preserve and have prevented development of that area thanks to our community.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’m hoping to retire early if it’s feasible and travel the world.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
As a kid, I was obsessed with pirates and buried treasure, which is probably why I went into archaeology.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Bali
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
December, Christmas and Dec 25. I love everything about the holidays in December, celebrating with family and friends. I love decorating, baking, and all of the holiday music.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Facials by Gabby at the Art of Face and Body on Myrtle.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My two girls.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Banana bread and chocolate chip cookies.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy. Safe. Family.
