Mandy is a wife and parent of two students in Rockford Public Schools. She is an active volunteer in the district devoting much of her time and energy to serving on the Inter School Advisory Council, Sex Education Advisory Board, and too many PTO committees to count. She is driven to create a safe and welcoming space for all children in public school, particularly around issues of mental health and suicide prevention.
Prior to becoming a parent, she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Western Michigan University where she also majored in Women’s Studies and Social Psychology and a Master of Social Work from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina while her husband was stationed there with the United States Marine Corps.
Mandy is committed to environmental justice work and has recently worked on interfaith efforts to install a Sacred Grounds garden with the National Wildlife Federation. She is also passionate about developing girl leadership skills through Girl Scouts. She is a lifetime member and serves as the Service Unit Director to girls and leaders in Rockford, Cedar Springs, Sparta, Kent City, Tri-County and Lakeview schools districts.