Growing up in Hawaii, her restaurant family emphasized hard work, studies, and service to others. She earned Bachelor degrees in biology and sociology at Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon and a Master’s in biological science education at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City. Upon graduation in 1965, she married a Soldier who would deploy for the first of two combat tours in Vietnam within months after their wedding. During their 38-years in the Army, she taught biology and physical science in middle and high schools for 9 years, raised two children, changed family addresses 31 times, and led volunteer efforts in military communities.

Long recovery and rehabilitations following each of her husband’s combat deployments and the challenges of educating their own children in nine different school systems rekindled her early interests in the education of children and the well-being of families. Living overseas and across the United States offered unique views on inconsistent educational requirements, the turbulence of frequent moves, and the compounding effects of combat. Over time, increasing leadership responsibilities for her husband also brought greater opportunity for her to help address the well-being of military families and the education of their children.

She has served on the Board of Advisors of the Armed Services YMCA, the Amputee Care program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and the Defense Health Board’s subcommittee for the care of individuals with amputations and functional limb loss. She assisted organizations serving military and veteran families, including Zero to Three, the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Sesame Workshop, and the White House “Joining Forces” initiative. She has supported the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s homeless veterans stand down and served the homeless at So Others Might Eat. She served on the board of the Military Child Education Coalition, and chaired its “Living In The New Normal: Supporting Children Through Trauma and Loss” initiative, and is now a Board Member Emeritus.

She received the American Psychological Association’s Robert M. Yerkes award; Leader to Leader Institute’s Leader of the Future; the American Legion Auxiliary’s Woman of the Year; and Military Child Education Coalition’s Service award. She contributed the forward to When the Warrior Returns: Making the Transition at Home, edited by Dr. Nathan D. Ainspan and Dr. Walter E. Penk.

She currently serves on the Board of Managers of the Army Emergency Relief; the Leadership Council of the Franklin Project; and most recently, the Board of Directors of Samueli Institute.