I live on the Chesapeake Bay, where the water never rushes but always gets where it’s going. My last name means “fast” in German, but I’ve always felt more like the Bay, taking my time, figuring things out as I go.

I’ve never been big on plans. In college, I changed my major three times before landing on the right one. I just follow what interests me, whether it’s a creative idea that won’t leave my head, a thrift store I didn’t mean to stop at, or a song I hear in a coffee shop that sends me down a rabbit hole of new artists. I always get where I’m going, just maybe not in a straight line.

The only thing I’ve never second-guessed is creativity.

I write because the right words can make someone see something differently. I take photos because I like catching moments that almost got away. And I love advertising because it’s the perfect mix of storytelling and problem-solving, figuring out what makes something click.

Other things I never get tired of: golden retrievers, espresso, museums, art, music, being near the water, and sushi.