Emily comes to peer support with deep respect for every person’s story. She grew up in instability, poverty, and environments shaped by addiction, moving between family homes before eventually finding stability in Colorado and later California. Along the way, she was supported by people who offered her music, culture, community, and new ways of healing.

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Diagnosed with trauma-related learning disabilities in middle school and told she would never live independently, Emily ultimately forged her own path. She completed her high school education through community college and went on to build a life far beyond what others expected. Her journey led her through work in the trades, and eventually 17 years with the United States Antarctic Program — experiences that showed her she was capable of far more than she’d been led to believe.

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Her lived experience includes childhood instability, poverty, exposure to and use of drugs, loneliness, emotional and sexual trauma, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and trauma-induced learning challenges. These experiences shape her compassion and the way she shows up for others. They don’t define her, but they allow her to connect deeply with people who feel unseen, overwhelmed, or unsure of their path.

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Today, Emily offers peer support with honesty, hope, and the belief that healing is possible at every stage of life. She finds grounding in nature, art, gardening, cooking, learning, and genuine connection with others.