Brenda graduated from Vincennes University in 1993 with her associate’s degree in nursing and worked as a registered nurse while earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She returned to Indiana-Purdue University in Indianapolis and earned her Master’s degree in nursing and became board certified as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in 2004. She worked 10 years as a registered nurse and has worked as a nurse practitioner for 20 years. She worked at Indiana University Southern Indiana Physicians in French Lick from 2017 to 2023 prior to retiring in July 2023. She decided to return to work and is presently at Southern Indiana Comprehensive Health Care at Valley Health in Springs Valley.

She and her husband Russell were raised in West Baden and French Lick and raised 2 sons and a daughter. They have 3 Grandchildren . She enjoys reading, crafting, collecting composition dolls from the early 30s and 40s, and spending time with family.