I grew up in Rochester, New York and completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Northwestern University in Chicago. I spent my time there reporting for local and regional television stations before heading to Washington D.C. to cover Capitol Hill. I then covered the state of New York from its capital, Albany, reporting for a 24-hour news station there having the opportunity to interview state leaders and former President Bill Clinton. I then headed to the West Coast to work for Al Gore’s Current TV network in San Francisco. I joined DW in early 2010 as a correspondent, writer and presenter of the news program Journal. In my free time, I report on Germany and Europe as part of Associated Reporters Abroad, writing for publications like USA Today, Atlantic, and the Global Post.

What was your biggest challenge growing up?
How to balance school, life and being a kid.

How did you work things out?
I’m still figuring it out!

What does tolerance mean to you personally?
Tolerance is finding peace within yourself, so you can be at peace with others.

Does life get easier the older you get?
Just the opposite!