"I’d say it’s an amalgamation of all the ILTCI conferences I’ve gone to. I was lucky enough to be on the Accounts team for over 3.5 years before transitioning to my new role on the Implementation team. With Accounts, I got to form relationships with many of the amazing partners we work with, but of course for the most part it was over the “airwaves.” Once the annual ILTCI conference hit, my digital friends and I actually got to meet/hang out and enjoy each other’s company in person, which is really what it’s all about. Nothing beats human connection, nothing beats laughing with people you’ve gotten to know so closely over the years! [Internal answers for fun: - When Glickman answered a birthday call from his sister in the middle of our meeting and we got to listen to her sing to him and have a full conversation while we just sat there like ""…."" - Becoming a poker addict.]"

The great equalizer is the fact that we all age. If we find ourselves lucky enough to grow old, we should all be entitled to a dignified and graceful existence, but unfortunately that is not always the case. I’m grateful to work at a company with the mission to fulfill the needs of older adults with dignity and grace, and to help lift the burden of navigating a broken system. Here at The Helper Bees, we respect our elders and want them to thrive well into their twilight years.

I’ve yet to be the primary caregiver of aging family members, but I’ve been a support system to those doing the caregiving, and I’ve seen the toll it takes on them to navigate an often confusing system. I’m also the only child of two aging parents, and I know I’ll have to help with their eventual needs.

Before working at The Helper Bees, I worked in the film and TV industry. While it was a lifelong dream and tons of fun at times, I didn’t find it as fulfilling as I had hoped. I also felt my own creativity was put on pause for the advancement of someone else’s dreams. Once I left Hollywood for Austin, and began reconnecting with my old self (or “inner child” if you will), I found my creative voice once again. I’m happy to say for the last 6+ years I’ve been making loads of weird art and loving every second of it! Examples attached!