A native San Diegan, Nicole and her husband, Tom, moved to Del Mar about 25 years ago.  They love living here, not just because of its beauty and location, but because they appreciate being part of a small town where everyone can participate in local government and community action. Nicole very much enjoyed her stint on Del Mar's Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee, noting that "in addition to getting to know more people in the community, I was surprised how interested I became in traffic engineering." She is also a member of CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) and recently volunteered at Del Mar Heights Elementary School in the Everyone a Reader program. Nicole and Tom feel privileged to have been able to raise their daughter in Del Mar. According to Nicole, "When Caitlin was growing up it was important to me to show her by example the importance of contributing to one's community. There are so many opportunities to serve and so many terrific people that she easily learned that community involvement is both critical and rewarding."

Three years ago, Nicole retired from a long career at UC San Diego, where she helped students determine and reach for careers requiring a graduate or professional school education. She started volunteering with DMCC about a year and half ago, in the In-Home Connections program. She loves meeting so many lively members of our community who share their rich histories with her. Nicole adds, "Looking after my mother, I became sensitized to the considerations of old age and I feel a responsibility to be of some help to others. I also find it quit easy to coordinate giving someone a ride with other errands or engagements. Sometimes I use it as an opportunity to walk my dog in a different neighborhood while I am waiting for someone. The web-based sign-up system for filling ride requests is terrific." When Nicole is not volunteering, you can catch her gardening, cooking vegetarian dishes, enjoying her extended family, and working on her "to-do" list that has been building for decades.

Thank you very much, Nicole, for donating your time and effort to DMCC and our wonderful community!