Growing up, I was not a standout athlete. In fact, most people might be surprised to learn that I was a cheerleader at one point. But one thing about me is that I have always loved people. I love listening, helping, and always being someone that others could lean on. To this day, some of my best friends still joke that I am their “free therapist,” and honestly, it’s a role that I embrace.
Although I have never played baseball, it was always in my blood. I grew up in North Babylon, New York, on Long Island, in a family that was full of diehard Yankee fans. My mom would always tell us stories about how she was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan and went to the infamous Ebbets Field to watch games before it closed, and what having those moments with the game meant to her. I didn’t realize it then, but that love for the game would quietly find its way to my boys.
I went to college at Binghamton University, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management, and built a career in banking. I worked my way up to becoming a loan officer, department manager, and eventually an assistant vice president by the time I was 30. I loved every moment and was proud of the work that I did daily. The funny thing about life is that it always has its twists and turns and can lead you to places that you would never expect. My husband received a job opportunity in Muncy, Pennsylvania. At first, we were a little hesitant, but once we looked at how stressful my job was becoming, just as we found out that we were expecting our second baby, we decided to make the leap.
Soon, we had three boys in three years. My priorities changed, and I chose to stay home to raise them. For 20 years, I was primarily a stay-at-home mom, but for 10 of them I was also a substitute teacher at our local schools, and five years prior, I was an aerobics instructor at the YMCA. Those roles mattered deeply, but stepping away from my banking career for so long was a major adjustment.
I don’t regret my decision at all. My husband and I raised three good men who have all built incredible lives and careers. If I am honest, I sometimes tell young parents to think carefully about how they can stay connected to their careers if they can. When I returned to the workforce at age 54, there was so much I had to re-learn. The world is constantly evolving. I had to learn all sorts of new technology and rebuild my confidence.
When it comes to Little League®, my path came at the right time. My husband’s job was eliminated after 22 years, and I needed to find work to help take care of our family. I took classes, reinvigorated my skills, and did tons of research. A friend, Charlie Lowrey, who is a landscaper here at Little League, suggested I apply. When I submitted my application and eventually got the job, I was so excited because of how much meaning this place had for my family and me.
Today, in my role as Accident Claims Coordinator, I primarily handle player accident claims. When a child is hurt, I help families navigate coverage and expenses. Often, families are scared, overwhelmed, and struggle to look for direction. I get to be the person who tells them, “Hey, no worries. We are going to figure this out and get you covered. We are happy to help.” It’s a feeling that I am proud to provide for families in times of need.
Then, in the summer, like the rest of the team, I get to be a part of the Little League Baseball® World Series, where everybody has a role in which they might not be totally familiar. I get to help and work in the Little League Flagship Store. I meet families, coaches, and players who are experiencing one of the biggest moments of their lives. You help a family or mom pick out souvenirs for everyone back home, and later see her jumping up and down and cheering on TV. It’s a joy that is hard to describe.
As for my boys, they think it is the coolest thing that their mom works at Little League. After growing up, playing the game, and spending so much time here, it feels special to all of us that I now get to be part of it, but in a new way. Before this opportunity, my husband and I would always bring our boys here, set up blankets on the hill, and enjoy the magic that the LLBWS brings every year. Little League has been part of their lives from the beginning, and it has really been a full circle moment from growing up in a household of baseball fans to the game becoming a prominent part of my professional life.
What keeps me going every day here at Little League is the people on our team. They are what I call “the magic.” Little League itself isn’t just an event; it is a community. It brings pride to cities, towns, states, and countries all over the world. Being one of the individuals who helps bring this event to life is something I never take for granted.
Now, I have three grandsons; the oldest is already practicing Tee Ball. Watching the love of the game being passed down from generation to generation really makes me smile. Life certainly has a funny way of connecting the dots. As I get older, I continue to reflect on my life. I didn’t plan every step perfectly. But sometimes the most meaningful destinations are the ones you never planned to reach.
This feature is part of a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights, highlighting the career journey of the organization’s employees, which began during Little League’s Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50) in 2024.