Puzzles are the reason I’m in accounting today. Growing up in a small town in northwestern Minnesota, my dad and I spent long winter days puzzling together, which sparked my love for problem-solving. During my senior year of high school, my social studies teacher taught our class how to fill out a 1040EZ for our taxes, and I realized that filing taxes is much like solving jigsaw puzzles—and I was hooked. I pursued my accounting degree at Concordia College, where I discovered the intricacies of tax preparation and how it resembles completing a 10,000-piece puzzle. With the U.S. Tax Code spanning tens of thousands of pages, my clients can rely on my expertise to navigate its complexities. I pride myself on being a good listener, and I enjoy helping my clients understand their taxes. Through hosting "lunch and learns," I foster personal connections while educating them about changes in tax laws. Outside of work, my husband and I are busy raising our four kids and a dog, and I couldn't do it without his support. In my free time, I love cooking, baking, and traveling, and I stay active by running races almost every month, from 5Ks to 10-milers, and playing softball during the summer and fall.