In 1998 I co-founded the award winning, Moonlight Fund Inc., with Mr. Henry Coffeen lll, burn unit medical staff and executives at Ernst & Young. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial, emotional and in-kind assistance to burn survivors and their families. A burn myself ,I noticed the need for care and support for burn survivors throughout the country, and, along with Henry ,we started the charity in 1998 in San Antonio, Texas. Since then, the organization has helped nearly 12,000 people across the U.S. My days are spent overseeing grant writing, program development, event planning and fundraising for The Moonlight Fund. Additionally, I work hand-in-hand with staff members, attend monthly board meetings and coordinate activities and meetings involving partners and sponsors. I also provide emotional support to burn survivors and their families by visiting them at the hospital, hosting support groups and by providing them with information, and access to funding. In addition, I organize and execute award-winning healing retreats for burn survivors and her families.Before starting The Moonlight Fund, I spent 8 years in commercial and residential real estate. I humbly received many awards in this field, including top producer, top agent and rookie of the year. I also spent 7 years as a national sales manager for food manufacturer VanHoltens where I successfully led a team of 280 food brokers nationwide. I was hands on in the development of marketing, branding, sales and new product introduction. During my time at the company distribution increased from 7 to 31 states.I've served as a public speaker for the Moonlight Fund and other organizations. In 2012, I was invited to speak at the Pentagon on behalf of the Moonlight Fund, when the charity was named the top non-profit in the country and given the Fisher House/Newman’s Own Award for improving the quality of life of military members and their families. My audience included key military members like General Martin E. Demsey and Admiral Winnefeld. I continue to speak on several topics, on behalf of the needs of burn survivors, non-profit management, overcoming childhood trauma and women’s empowerment. In 2018 I was honored to receive the DAR Distinquished Citizen Medal.Both I and the Moonlight Fund have received numerous awards. In addition to the Moonlight Fund being named the top non profit in the country, I was awarded the business journals- Woman in Leadership Award and was chosen as a mentor, three years running for the Business Journals, Mentoring Monday. Most recently, I was presented with the Distinguished Citizen Medal by the Daughters of the American Revolution. (DAR) most recently I was selected as the Outstanding Philanthropist by the American Fundraising Association. I also sit on several committees at the American Burn Association.Originally from Rockford, Illinois, and now a Bandera, Texas resident, I have had several articles published in various prominent publications including San Antonio Medical Magazine, Dallas Safari Club and others. I am a member of the Phoenix Society, American Burn Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, Association of Fundraising Professionals and the San Antonio Women’s Chamber of Commerce. When I am not caring for burn survivors or writing grants, I enjoy spending time with my three children Justin, Jarred and Hillary and my grandson, Korben and will soon welcome my second grandchild. I am an avid equestrian and have been riding for many years, and although retired from competing, I still enjoys riding on my ranch. I also enjoys the outdoors, fishing, hunting and working on the land.In 2022, I closed the Moonlight Fund and dedicated my time to helping others through my speaking engagements and through personal giving. My third book, My ValHalla was released in 2024.Read more about this authorRead less about this author