Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series, Meet The Denver Gazette Newsroom, better familiarizing readers with the people who bring them the news. At a time of distrust in the media, The Denver Gazette wants to introduce ourselves and get to know you better.

In college, I remember feeling lost and unsure about what I wanted to do with my life. I took a journalism course, knowing I was interested in storytelling and not realizing that course would change my life.

I recall hearing my professor talk about the impact of journalism.

“As individuals, there’s not a lot we can do to make a significant impact on the world,” she said. “But in journalism, we have the power and responsibility to educate the masses, which can drive more positive change than any one person could ever have on their own.”

Her words struck me as I thought about government accountability and the way our democracy depends on it and the power of telling stories for people without a public voice.

They still sit with me years later when I ask hard questions of elected officials and hear words of thanks from story sources who have never had a chance to tell their stories before.

They sit with me when I report on protests, sit down with homeless people and listen to their stories and dig deeper into the innerworkings of city governments.

Journalism is by no means easy, but every day is different and every day I learn something new about my community and my world. I feel a profound sense of responsibility to my community in my work and I’m honored to have a voice in making positive change in it.

When I’m not writing, I’m playing outside, learning about and appreciating our natural world. I’m a regular on our beautiful state’s many trails and can be found brewing coffee on tall summits, swimming in freezing alpine lakes, climbing big rocks, sleeping under the stars and learning to backcountry ski.

Every day, I feel incredibly lucky to live in such a beautiful state with endless places to explore and enjoy.