After graduating with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago Nancy went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park to study pastry. Nancy began her career with a strong artisan bread focus, working in bread production and subsequently in 1997 returned back to Chicago and founded Red Hen Bread. After several years of directing Red Hen Bread, Nancy transitioned into research and development for Red Hen Bread to concurrently pursue a career in education. She spent the next eight years teaching baking and pastry at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. Nancy is currently teaching baking and pastry at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In 2011 she participated in the Pastry Live National Showpiece Championship with Andy Chlebana and won Best Overall Showpiece and Best Chocolate Showpiece.