01/12/2026
My career was built on 15 years of saying “yes” to...VOLUNTEERING!!!
To gain hands-on experience, I started volunteering to organize wherever I saw an opportunity! Non-profits are always looking for help with storage areas, so organizing in that setting was a natural fit.
I read about an amazing organization, Special Spaces, who "creates dream bedroom makeovers for dependent children ages 2-19 with cancer who are within one year of treatment." I reached out and offered my services and had the priviledge of joining them on a few makeovers Special Spaces Illinois Crayons Gone Wild Murals Such an amazing group of people!
I joined NAPO Chicago when I started my business and within months volunteered for the marketing committee to start their Twitter account. That led to the board, where I served as Professional Development Director, planned service projects, and eventually chaired the Marketing Committee.
My service to NAPO Chicago opened the door to the NAPO National Marketing Committee, (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals) where I later served as Chair. I helped develop the Brain-Based Conditions Certificate, created a required course for it, and spoke at the national conference. In 2022, I was surprised and honored to receive the Service to NAPO Award for outstanding volunteerism.
Today, I focus my volunteer energy as the leader of NAPO’s Hoarding Special Interest Group and as a co-chair of the Executive Board for the Chicagoland Hoarding Task Force.
Not only do I fulfill my desire to help others, but volunteering has been a vehicle to build my network and hone my leadship skills.