Tanya and her four sisters were blessed to be raised by amazing parents. She fondly recalls the moment she truly fell in love with Jesus as a teen while attending a youth program called Student Venture. God planted the seed for missions when she attended two life-changing mission trips with this group.

After high school Tanya spent seven years working with children of various ages as she ran an enriched in-home daycare for military families in Japan and then for civilians in Minnesota. She then transitioned into the accounting field where she has worked in various roles over the past 20 years.

Tanya has passion for volunteering; known to organize people to come together as the hands-and-feet of Jesus at shelters, Feed-My-Starving Children, and Samaritans Purse. The past couple years she has been mentoring homeless youth ranging from age 14 to 23 at Hope4Youth, a day center and shelter.

Tanya has been an active member of Grace Fellowship for the past eight years where she currently participates in the women’s ministry and on the mission board. For the past three years Tanya has been the coordinating team member of the short-term mission’s team that represents KidZ at Heart in Haiti. Through this experience her heart has been forever changed. She loves experiencing how God is working in their lives and has truly begun a great mission to reach and teach the children of Haiti to know Jesus. Tanya is currently working with KidZ at Heart for a long-term position in Haiti. Tanya has been on staff with KidZ at Heart since 2019.

If Tanya is not with family and friends, at church, or volunteering, you will find her exploring nature anywhere looking at God's beautiful scenery and spending hours reading and doing Bible study in her hammock at the water’s edge.

Tanya lives in the twin cities area of Minnesota. This is where she raised her two sons; Adam who is newly married to Morgan, and Tyler who is father of son Levi. Levi is one of Tanya's biggest blessings as she loves exploring with him and watching his relationship with Jesus bloom.