I am a wife, a mother of four, and the Founder & CEO of One Purse.

In 2011, I stepped away from my 15+ year career in the finance industry. I felt a burden for vulnerable women and children so strong that I was compelled to take action. At that time, I did not realize how many in my own community were struggling to find their way forward and how life-altering experiences such as abuse, addiction and trafficking can lead to complex trauma and vulnerabilities that do not disappear just because someone finds their way out of a harmful situation. Helping women break free from cycles of violence and brokenness extends far beyond physical safety. Many services were being offered to address physical, mental and emotional freedom, but few were providing true opportunities for economic freedom. When vulnerable populations lack the ability to provide for themselves, they are highly susceptible to further dependence on unsafe people, relapse and re-exploitation.

Today at One Purse, we empower survivors through employment in our unique social enterprise and education through scholarships for college tuition or vocational training. We know that when women can achieve financial independence, it strengthens the foundation of freedom for them and the generations that follow.

Together, we can offer more women the opportunity to build economic freedom and truly experience healthy, wholehearted lives.