My design journey began in college while volunteering with the Santa Barbara Response Network, a grassroots nonprofit providing psychological first aid to communities in crisis. I was tasked with designing their website and built a centralized hub for mental health resources. Hearing how much it helped people find the support they needed was a powerful moment; it showed me how thoughtful design can solve real problems and uplift entire communities. Driven to keep creating solutions with meaningful impact, I discovered UX design as the perfect way to merge my love of solving complex problems with crafting engaging visual experiences.