She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Kansas State University, a Masters in Historic Preservation from Columbia University, and is a registered architect in Texas. She served as the Historic Preservation Officer for the City of San Antonio for 15 years, where she oversaw design review of the famous Riverwalk, 26 historic districts, and all municipal projects. She served on the President’s National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) from 2008 to 2010, and was a member of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions in 2002-2010 and was elected Chair in 2007-2009.