She received her J.D. from the University of Kansas, and her Bachelor's in Speech from Northwestern University. She earned a graduate degree in Arts Management from the University of Florence, Italy. While in Italy, she worked for the Spoleto Festival, and as an on-camera host for an arts and culture program. Other arts-related positions include The Kennedy Center's Festival of China, and touring as Kate in The Taming if the Shrew with The National Players.