Video Transcript

Hi there. I want to take a moment to share a little bit about my leadership journey and why I believe it might be helpful to others.

My leadership style is rooted in collaboration, I genuinely believe the world needs more of that right now. More listening, more empathy, more working together to solve tough stuff. If you were to walk into my office on any given day, you'd probably hear a few familiar phrases. Seek to understand, row don't stir, and simply, why? These aren't just catch phrases, they're values. They are about pausing to really see people, to meet them where they are and move forward together with purpose.

I won't pretend that I get this right every single time but I do strive for it every day.

I'm passionate about advancing science in ways that are a safe and meaningful and even more passionate about people getting to do what they love best in the best way possible. That's where the magic happens.  One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been working with students whether it's in the classroom or just grabbing coffee. I love helping them make connections between ideas, with people and with themselves.

I share my own stories, not as a blueprint, but as a way to offer lessons and a few caution signs. And they'll tell you I'm not shy about nudging them outside their comfort zones. In fact, just last week I joked with a team member that we finally had a conversation where I didn't ask her to stretch. That might have been a first.

I've been described as a bit of a unicorn. I've led both in and out of the lab and I've spent much of the last decade navigating the space between industry and academia It's not always easy, but when the alignment is right it is powerful students and faculty gain practical, applicable skills, companies get fresh thinking and both sides grow in ways they couldn't achieve on their own. It creates a kind of connectivity that's rare and it's deeply impactful.

At the end of the day, leadership to me is about creating environments where people can thrive, where science moves forward and where questions are welcomed and collaboration is not just encouraged, it's expected. And that's what I hope to keep building wherever my path takes me.