I am a mom to my beautiful son named Matteo, and I am lucky to call his dad my best friend and long-term partner. I was born and raised in Worcester, and my family has always been involved in the community. I have spent a lot of my adult life traveling and living abroad. I have found a second home in the U.K. where I lived and studied in the past. I love to travel and experience new locations, but I always find my way home to Worcester. I am an Art Conservator and I also work for the City of Worcester.
Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
I began my work in art conservation as an assistant at the Higgins Armory Museum and assisted with the move over to the Worcester Art Museum. This led to my graduate studies abroad. In recent years, I have worked with the Arizona State Museum, the city of Cambridge, private art conservators, art collectors, and the Yale Peabody Museum at Yale University. I also work for the City Clerk in Worcester, where I am assisting with developing the city archive. I have a deep passion for preserving history and love the field because it allows me to actually hold, treat, conserve, and preserve history through various methods.
What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
I can’t pick! I will forever love Birchtree Bread, Dalat, and Westside BBQ (Elaine is the best).
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
I definitely cannot choose one because I feel really blessed that I have been able to make strong connections with people from all over the globe.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Jordan, to visit the archaeological site Petra. I want to see all of the colors, the architecture, and just experience the landscape.
What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
They are no longer a band, but John Paul White and Joy Williams used to be the Civil Wars. They are still my go to when I can’t decide what to listen to.
What is your best advice?
The grass is greener where you water it.
What is one of the top three items on your Bucket List?
See the Northern Lights, learn one new thing every year, and visit an elephant sanctuary.
What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Worcester?
Always and forever the old Tatnuck Bookseller, it was my childhood. It’s also why I love all the smaller, newer bookstores in Worcester, such as: Root and Press, Bedlam Book Cafe ,etc.
Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?
My elementary school teacher, Mrs. Powers. She was one of those teachers that inspired students and whose words always stayed with them even into adulthood.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Experiencing everything life brings to us, raising my son, and traveling with the people I love.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you, even your friends or family.
I think my friends/family pretty much know everything about me. However, I love to celebrate peoples accomplishments. I think we all need people in our corner that celebrate us.
What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, peace, laughter
If a motion picture was made of your life, what actor/actress would you choose to play you?
Jenny Slate.
What is your favorite thing or something unique about Worcester?
There are a lot of things, but the ART is my favorite. From POW WOW to Arts Worcester, the museums, craft center, and Sprinkler Factory are all at your fingertips ready for you to explore!
What is your favorite smell?
Lilacs and Jo Malone’s Wood Sage and Sea Salt cologne.
Who inspires you to be better?
My son.
Who would you like to see nominated for this project, The Faces of Worcester?
Birgit Straehle- her love for Worcester runs deep.
