How did you get roped into doing this, and what was your first thought when asked?

I was excited to be asked to be a model by a fellow coworker who is a BGC board member. The High Heels for High Hopes did such great work, I was excited to be able to part of the inaugural Catwalk Class of 2018

 

Why did you say yes?

I wanted to challenge myself, get out of my comfort zone and meet new people while in a competitive environment that benefits my community.

 

What is your official job title?

I am an Employee Benefits Consultant for USI, the largest mid-market brokerage firm in the U.S. My background in HR/benefits plan management gives me a different perspective on employee benefits strategy.

 

How would you describe your job to your mother?

I help business owners decide what they can / want / should offer their employees and their employees' families.

 

All families are unique, tell us about yours.

I have been blessed with a loving husband who loves to explore the outdoors with me.  Wevjust celebrated 11 years of marriage and are excited about the next decades.  We have two 4-legged children (Deiter and Camille) who keep us in line and love us.

 

Tell us about your personal passions, talents, and/or hobbies.

Most of my free time is focused on my fused glass business (Martha DeVerre Designs), my volunteer work (United Way of Lane County, Lane County HR Association and Eugene Delta Rotary) as well as cave exploration in the summer!

 

What is something that you swore you would never do as a parent before you had kids that you do now?

Hard to say, since I don't have human children, but I never thought I'd cut my own "kid's" (cat's) hair!  It's kind of a necessary evil with my long-haired cats...and they look adorable afterward!

 

Who inspired you when you were growing up, and why?

My dad - he exercised every day, read all the time, taught my sister and me about local & U.S. history while traveling and demonstrated the value of volunteering.

 

If you could go back and talk to your 12-year-old self, what would you say?

Just because you don't think you'll need to learn something in school doesn't mean you'll never actually use it later in life.  You probably will!