Moved around frequently while growing up, lived in Pennsylvania, Florida, Puerto Rico and Chicago

Worked in Japan as an English teacher and a model to fund her undergraduate education

Helmed the experimental 16-minute short "The Last Good Breath"; screened on the festival circuit

Assistant editor of Cheryl Dunye's short "Greetings From Africa"

Edited Shawn Atkins' experimental 16mm animated film "Anastasia and the Queen of Hearts"

Directed a short film based on the rape and murder of Brandon Teena, "Take It Like a Man"

Participated in the Filmmaker's Lab at the Sundance Institute to work on "Boys Don't Cry" (then titled "Take It Like a Man")

Feature directorial debut, "Boys Don't Cry"; also co-wrote with Andy Bienen

Directed an episode of the Showtime television series "The L Word"

Co-wrote (also directed) the war drama, "Stop-Loss"