Get to know Elizabeth

I was a "spirited" child and according to my kindergarten "All About Me'" book, I wanted to be a doctor or a firefighter when I grew up.

After earning my German degree from USC, I spent a few years welcoming three children in four years and moved to Aiken, SC from Columbia, SC. My initial plan had been to pursue a Masters in International Business but I did not feel I could commute back to Columbia with four under five at home. I returned to college at USC Aiken several years later where I ultimately earned a B.S. in Accounting. In hindsight, I showed a strong knack for accounting working retail in Columbia where I was the only one who could ever find the discrepancy when the end of day cash was off. :)

I have a B.A. in German and a B.S in Accounting from The University of South Carolina.

I am currently active in the Highlands School PTA, serve as Treasurer of The HIghlands Chamber of Commerce and Visit Highlands, NC and serve as a member of the Highlands Hospital Advisory Board. I spend a lot of time staying abreast of the latest guidance regarding COVID related funding and other IRS guidance relating to both the non-profit and private sectors.

As a small business owner myself, I understand the challenges of entrepreneurship. I enjoy being a proactive resource in helping small businesses to manage costs and make prudent financial decisions based on real numbers. Honestly, the bean counting part of Accounting is somewhat boring to me. It is necessary but it's not exciting. When I can help a client pivot in some way to improve profitability or quality of life, I feel immense gratification.

Non-profit work has also been really gratifying for me. Namely because the Highlands non-profit sector proliferates most of the initiatives that make living in Highlands so unique, enjoyable and equitable. We are so incredibly lucky to have beautiful spaces for the performing and visual arts, a thriving WNC campus and nature center where important research is conducted year round, a prudent and ecologically driven management body for the majority of the land in Macon and Jackson Counties, a food bank and social services directive focused on meeting the practical needs of an underserved portion of our community, a literacy council who seeks to combat illiteracy in our community through tutoring, after school programs and GED training.

When I am not crunching numbers, I enjoy tending to my chickens and garden on my farm in Scaly Mountain, cheering my children on in various sports, listening to live music and traveling as much as possible.