Why Community Involvement Matters to Me — Beyond Real Estate

Over the past few years, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about the idea of community.

Not just in the sense of neighborhoods, streets, and school districts—but in the broader way we show up for one another as neighbors, parents, volunteers, and citizens. Like many people, I’ve felt frustration with the current political climate. Not because disagreement exists—that’s healthy—but because too often the system itself makes it difficult for productive conversations and practical solutions to rise to the surface.

Eventually, that frustration led to a simple question:

If I care this much, what responsibility do I have to be involved?

That question is what led me to say yes to a volunteer leadership role with Better Ballot Iowa, where I now serve as Communications Chair and a member of the Board of Directors.

This work sits outside my day-to-day real estate business, but it aligns closely with the values that guide everything I do.

Community Is More Than Where We Live

My career has always been rooted in community enrichment—prioritizing long-term neighborhood well-being, supporting local organizations, and building relationships that extend far beyond a single transaction.

Those values don’t stop at real estate.

They’re about the kind of Iowa we’re helping shape together.

Strong communities are built when people feel informed, heard, and confident participating in the systems that affect their lives. When trust exists—between neighbors, institutions, and leadership—communities thrive.

That belief is what drew me to Better Ballot Iowa.

Why This Role Matters to Me

On a personal level, this work is about the future my kids are growing up in. It’s about wanting a civic environment that encourages engagement, respect, and thoughtful participation—even when people don’t agree.

Better Ballot Iowa focuses on improving the process itself: strengthening voter participation, increasing trust, and helping more Iowans feel connected to how decisions are made.

The organization is not about parties or candidates. It’s about creating a healthier system—one that encourages good leadership, better conversations, and stronger representation.

Giving Where You Live

Volunteering in this capacity feels like a natural extension of my personal and professional philosophy: give where you live.

Whether I’m helping a family buy their first home, guiding a seller through a major transition, or contributing time to organizations working to strengthen our communities, the goal is the same—leave things better than I found them.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve, learn, and contribute in this way, and I look forward to continuing to support the place we’re proud to call home.

Picture is after our annual board retreat this past weekend - shows current and former BBI Board Members