She has a JD and MCRP (masters in city and regional planning) from UNC-Chapel Hill. As a master’s student, she worked extensively on business incentives with Prof. Nichola Lowe. She continued that work for the Kenan Institute as a fellow, partnering with Warren County and other local governments to identify best practices and develop sound incentive policies. She also worked as a fellow with the UNC Center for Civil Rights after graduating from law school. She has a BA from Columbia College at Columbia University.