Tina’s story

I was five years old when I lost my mom. I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t aware of death or didn’t see it as a natural part of the human experience.  When I see someone experiencing grief at an early stage, I can also see the other side of it. I understand how grief can paralyze us from the logistical things that need to happen.

Because my mom died when I was so young, I became a tiny household manager, a practical get-stuff-done kind of person. My favorite (only) game to play growing up was “hotel.” I would use my father’s old three ring binder checkbook with the receipts and make my sister check in as various guests so I could issue keys and process payment. True fact.

In my career, I made good use of these talents. In 2012, I co-founded the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD), a social justice organization that works to advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda.  Most recently, I have focused on creating a movement home where activists and community organizers can gather to plan, create, and find sanctuary.

I deeply love listening to life stories and am fascinated by everyday human life. People often comfortably share their stories with me and I delight in listening with my full attention, asking poignant questions about the tiniest details, making connections, noticing patterns. 

I love these three aspects of myself: comfort with holding the pain of others, organizing and thinking through the details to get things done, and honoring the human experience. EPILOGUE is the dream marriage of these very personal life experiences.

Learn more about Tina’s professional experience.