At KDI Wealth Management, our clients' success is powered by our dedicated team. Behind every engagement, every innovation, and every success are unique individuals driven by passion, purpose, and personal journeys. Our "Getting to Know You" blog series aims to pull back the curtain and introduce you to the remarkable team members who bring our firm to life.
Living in the scorching Arizona desert, when temperatures soar above 110°F, connecting with nature becomes nearly impossible. As someone who loves the outdoors, this presented a challenge: how could I nurture my bond with the natural world when stepping outside feels like walking into an oven?
My solution was simple yet transformative, bring nature indoors. What started with a terrarium & small pots of herbs on my kitchen counter has blossomed into a full-fledged jungle. My living room is now a sanctuary from the harsh desert heat, filled with plants of all types and sizes.
I was really intrigued when I read that "houseplants can sense their owners from up to 2km away." While this claim might stretch scientific credibility a bit, it fortified my sense of being their caregiver. Once that seed was planted (pun intended), there was no turning back, these were now my “wards”.
As my knowledge grew, so did my confidence. I ventured beyond "unkillable" starter plants to more specialized varieties like prayer plants with their dramatically patterned leaves that fold up at night, air plants that draw moisture from the atmosphere (or in Arizona, require only a 5 minute soak every week or so), and finicky calatheas that taught me about humidity and filtered water and so much patience! Shelves once holding books now also accommodate cascading trailing plants. A bar cart has become a propagation station, where glass containers filled with cuttings catch the morning light. Macramé hangers suspend plants from the ceiling, and I’ve found various creative ways to cover the walls with plants creating layers of greenery that make visitors feel like they've stepped into another world. I was asked by my daughter one morning when the parrots were coming.
Aside from aesthetics, caring for my plants has had a profound impact on my wellbeing. There's a mindfulness to plant care - checking leaves for distress, carefully watering according to each plant's needs, gently wiping dust from glossy foliage. These moments are meditative for me – repotting, the smell of the rich soil literally grounds me. Research supports what plant enthusiasts have always known: interacting with plants reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and improves overall wellbeing. The cyclical nature of plant care offers evidence of progress in a world where many tasks feel endless. The opening of a new leaf, roots developing on a cutting, or a fresh new bloom on a peace lily provide satisfaction and joy – if my plants are thriving, I am thriving. What started as a practical solution to Arizona's hostile summer climate has evolved into something much more meaningful. My plants are not just decorative objects but living beings that bring me peace and happiness.
My latest adventure is exploring hydroponics, specifically the Kratky method, which will allow me to grow edible plants without soil using nutrient-rich water. The simplicity of this approach appeals to me, especially in the Valley of the Sun where traditional gardening is challenging. The thought of growing nutrient-dense food with less water, without weeding or soil borne pests, feels like the perfect extension of my plant life. For my initial Kratky project, I'm focusing on leafy greens and herbs like lettuce, spinach, basil, and cilantro. I’ve chosen these fast-growing plants to start with as I should get quick results and that will keep me motivated. The prospect of growing and harvesting my own food is very exciting and extends beyond my personal space into my vision for our community. I've always believed that gardens have the power to bring people together, creating connections across generations and backgrounds, so my vision is to transform my backyard into a community hydroponic garden & indigenous food forest where some of my neighbors can come to grow food, harvest what we’ve grown, share knowledge, and build relationships. I feel access to this would benefit many.
Much like lovingly tending to my collection of plants, my heart as Marketing Manager at KDI Wealth Management is devoted to nurturing relationships with our clients through communication and education. I pour care into creating and curating resources that help our KDI team connect more deeply with the people we're privileged to serve and their surrounding communities. Every day, I cherish the opportunity to provide timely updates and listen with my whole heart for the subtle cues about what our clients truly need and have concerns about and I feel honored that my role allows me to share how passionately our team cares about each client's success and wellbeing. There is joy in watching our clients blossom and thrive, even if I'm tending to this garden from behind the scenes and when someone shares that they found genuine value in content from our social platforms, podcasts, or emails or that educational material truly made a difference for them—my heart sings knowing that my work has created a meaningful connection and growth.
If you missed previous team member introductions, you may read them here: