Stephanie was born and raised in WI and IL. She graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 2009 with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education English and Theatre. She taught in NYC, Beloit, and Madison, WI area over 6 years. While teaching she realized she wanted to teach people how to survive and thrive instead of a subject matter and began pursuing her Master's in Counseling.
During her Bachelor's Stephanie was the President of the V-Day Campaign to stop violence against women and girls where she helped with sexual assault and domestic violence victims. While finishing her Master's Stephanie began to work at DEFY Domestic Abuse Beloit where she helped domestic violence victims. After graduating with her Master's Stephanie became a full-time case manager and counselor at DEFY.
Stephanie has been with DEFY for over 8 years and is currently the LGBTQ+ Survivor Advocate. In her role, she trains community members, leads support groups, counsels, and case manages clients in Rock County WI that are a part of the LGBTQ+ community. She also directs the yearly all LGBTQ+ cast and crew musical production in Rock County with Pride Theatre Productions in which she is one of the founders.
As a bisexual woman, Stephanie speaks about her experiences in education, theatre, counseling, domestic violence, sexual assault, & the LGBTQ+ community. She is often called upon by legislatures, administrators, and business owners to help promote and discuss LGBTQ+ rights. Stephanie will finish her PhD in Organizational Leadership with a specialization in non-profit LGBTQ+ Communities in December of 2023 and marry her partner in the spring of 2024.
