I am most importantly a mother, advocate, entrepreneur, and survivor of domestic abuse who has spent years navigating a complex, high-conflict family court experience. My personal experience with coercive control led me to advocate for greater protections for survivors, including testifying before Connecticut lawmakers and contributing to the efforts that helped shape Jennifer’s Law. I am proud to be a part of Jennifer’s Law which I helped influence and write, which was signed into law by Gov Lamont July 2021. Today, I am sharing my story to provide an accurate, documented account of my experience and to bring awareness to the lasting impact of coercive control, legal harassment, and online misinformation.
Who I am
Personal Life:
The single best aspect of my life is my son. My most important life “work” is helping him pave the path to become his best, most peaceful self and evolve in the ways natural to his soul. I am also a serial entrepreneur, partner, daughter, dear friend, lover of animals and nature and a bit of a research nerd!
I’m a longtime advocate, a thriver and survivor of domestic violence that began when I was 7 months pregnant.
My Story
My journey into advocacy began through my own experience navigating a long and difficult family court case. What started as something deeply personal ultimately opened my eyes to a much larger issue: domestic abuse does not always leave a physical mark.
For years, I experienced patterns of coercive control while navigating an extraordinarily prolonged legal battle. Throughout it all, my priority was my son. I have been his sole legal custodian and primary caregiver, and I worked hard to give him a happy, stable childhood while protecting him from the conflict surrounding our family.
Eventually, I realized that my experience could help create change for others. Between 2018 and 2020, I was invited by Connecticut lawmakers to testify about coercive control and the realities faced by survivors whose experiences did not always fit the traditional definition of domestic violence. I contributed to the work that ultimately became known as Jennifer’s Law, legislation that changed how Connecticut recognizes domestic violence and coercive control.
For me, this became about so much more than my own story. It became about giving a voice to people experiencing forms of abuse that can be incredibly difficult to explain or even recognize. Control, intimidation, isolation, financial abuse, harassment, and the misuse of systems can have profound and lasting effects on survivors and their children.
Today, I continue to share my experience because I want others to know they are not alone. I hope that by creating greater awareness and understanding of coercive control, we can continue to change the way survivors are heard, supported, and protected.
My experience gave me a reason to speak up. Now, I hope my voice can help others find theirs.
Beyond My Advocacy
Alongside my advocacy work, I am also an entrepreneur and the Founder and CXO of Mavalis. Building a company has been another important part of my journey and has allowed me to channel my creativity, resilience, and experiences into something meaningful. I value my Talented Team and am in awe of their talents.
My Linkedin can be found here.
My professional life and my advocacy may seem like two very different worlds, but to me, they are deeply connected. Both are rooted in understanding people, solving problems, creating change, and having the courage to build something better.
As a founder, a mother, and an advocate, I have learned that some of our most difficult experiences can ultimately shape the work we are meant to do. My work with Jennifer’s Law is deeply personal, but it is also part of a much bigger mission: using my voice, my experience, and my platform to help create meaningful change for others.
Professional Life
Professional Endeavors
Serial entrepreneur since 10 years old! Corporate and consulting work in between
I’m the Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Mavalis. I look after what authentically serves our members and partners at every turn. Our seasoned and Talented Team, the quality of person each one is: makes my work, a pleasure
For me, this became about so much more than my own story. It became about giving a voice to people experiencing forms of abuse that can be incredibly difficult to explain or even recognize. Control, intimidation, isolation, financial abuse, harassment, and the misuse of systems can have profound and lasting effects on survivors and their children.
Today, I continue to share my experience because I want others to know they are not alone. I hope that by creating greater awareness and understanding of coercive control, we can continue to change the way survivors are heard, supported, and protected.
My experience gave me a reason to speak up. Now, I hope my voice can help others find theirs.