As an Arizona native, Traci was born and raised in the East Valley moving between Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert. She attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, met the love of her life and finally called Tempe home. She and her husband have two feisty boys.

Traci has been a lifelong swimmer and made the progression from wading in her backyard pool, to swim team, then lifeguarding where she eventually made a career out of going to the pool every day. She worked for the City of Chandler Aquatics Division for 20 years in every position imaginable and enjoyed teaching others to be safe in and around the water. As an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer, she was responsible for certifying instructors to teach swim lessons as well as an American Red Cross Lifeguarding Instructor Trainer certifying lifeguard instructors to teach the next generation of lifeguards. As an Aquatic Coordinator, Traci was responsible for one of the busiest aquatic centers in the valley, community outreach efforts, and other duties as assigned which in aquatics is a little bit of everything!

Traci moved into Human Resources in the City of Chandler in Organizational Development with the goal applying the same teaching principles to educate, train and develop all city employees. She is currently in Information Technology as an IT Project Manager.

Her path to the Drowning Prevention Coalition comes from the desire to do more for our community. In 2010, Chandler experienced five water related incidents during the winter months which is often considered the “safe” time when drownings and near drownings are even more unexpected. The need for water safety education and outreach is never ending and giving a child the opportunity to swim or connecting a parent to resources that help provide layers of protection is the gift of a lifetime.