I was born in Massachusetts but raised in Merrill, Wisconsin. It was a great place to grow up. I kept our old family home and still spend summers there. It’s fun and filled with wonderful memories. During the winter, my partner, Paul, and I live in a redwood forest in another small town, Mill Valley, California, just north of San Francisco.
How did you hear about the WPC?
I learned about the WPC from the UW Foundation. The Foundation team was wonderful in helping me establish a scholarship fund to enable students to study abroad. They suggested the WPC to me, and I thought, “This sounds great!”
Describe your connection to UW–Madison.
As an undergraduate at Lawrence University, I took several summer biology classes in subjects that were not available at a small school like Lawrence. It was a great experience, and I fell in love with UW–Madison. I’ve been a fan ever since.
How do you spend your time?
I love working on climate, environmental, and land-conservation projects. I’m also deeply committed to a number of women’s equality and education initiatives. I love to travel, and I love to hike.
What is something important/fun for the WPC to know about you?
Twenty years ago, I bought an old farmhouse in an ancient Italian hill town. It has been such an adventure to restore the old house, learn that beautiful language, feel adopted by the community, and harvest olives, figs, and almonds from my small orchard. What a joy.
